Abstract This study examined the intersectionality of HIV-related stigma, tobacco smoking stigma, and mental health among women living with HIV who were daily smokers. This secondary analysis used baseline data… Click to show full abstract
Abstract This study examined the intersectionality of HIV-related stigma, tobacco smoking stigma, and mental health among women living with HIV who were daily smokers. This secondary analysis used baseline data from 2 pilot smoking cessation studies. Participants received either an HIV-tailored or an attention-control intervention focused on smoking cessation as an outcome. There were significant positive relationships between HIV-related stigma and depressive and anxiety symptoms. In contrast, tobacco smoking stigma had no significant relationship with either of the symptoms when HIV-related stigma was controlled. However, there was a significant interaction effect (β = 1.37, p = .02) of tobacco smoking stigma with internalized HIV-related stigma on anxiety symptoms. Tobacco smoking stigma worsened anxiety symptoms for women who had high internalized HIV-related stigma. Health care providers should understand the effect of HIV-related stigma on mental health and address the intersectionality of HIV-related stigma with other socially disapproved behaviors, such as tobacco smoking.
               
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