Negative associations between general self-efficacy and anxiety/depression among newly HIV-diagnosed men who have sex with men in Beijing, China

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the association between general self-efficacy and depression/anxiety among newly HIV-diagnosed Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, our study evaluated the baseline survey data of MSM taking part in a clinical trial among Chinese MSM in Beijing. The baseline survey of the trial was conducted between March 2013 and March 2014. General self-efficacy and depression/anxiety were measured using standard scales. Logistic regression and cumulative logistic regression were used to evaluate the associations between general self-efficacy and depression/anxiety. A total of 367 newly HIV-diagnosed Chinese MSM in Beijing were recruited. There were negative associations between general self-efficacy and depression/anxiety among the study population. As general self-efficacy increased by one unit, the odds of “likely” or “borderline” depression versus normal, or “likely” depression versus “borderline” depression or normal decreased by 12% [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85–0.92] after adjusting for potential confounders. Similarly, general self-efficacy was negatively associated with anxiety (AOR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.86–0.93). A higher level of general self-efficacy was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety among newly HIV-diagnosed Chinese MSM. Interventions promoting overall health and wellness should address self-efficacy, depression and anxiety.

KEYWORDS:

• General self-efficacy
• anxiety
• depression
• men who have sex with men
• HIV

Acknowledgements

The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health [Grant Numbers R01AI094562, R34AI091446] and National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant number 81760616].