Self-in-love versus self-in-stigma: implications of relationship quality and love attitudes on self-stigma and mental health among HIV-positive men having sex with men

ABSTRACT

The present study examines the mediating effect of love attitude on the associations between relationship quality with self-stigma and mental health among HIV-positive men having sex with men (MSM). Participants included 211 HIV-positive MSM (M_age = 41.77 years, SD = 11.10) and they were assessed on their relationship quality, love attitudes, HIV-positive self-stigma, and mental health. Structural equation modeling showed that the model fit the data well, χ²(50) = 152.80, p < .05, comparative fit index = .94, non-normed fit index = .92, standardized root mean square residual = .08. The indirect effect of perceived relationship quality on self-stigma was significant through love attitude. The indirect effect of love attitude on mental health was significant through reduced self-stigma. The outcomes differed by the number of partners, partner’s knowledge of HIV-positive status, relationship nature, and marital status. Implications for developing a positive self-in-love to diminish self-stigma were discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV-positive men having sex with men
• love attitudes
• relationship quality
• self-stigma
• mental health

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Fei Chan, Duncan Lam, and Mandy Cheung of AIDS Concern for comments on the study questionnaire, and The Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre (KBITC) for assistance in data collection.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Direct University Grant of The Chinese University of Hong Kong [Ref. 2021091].