Examining the Additive Effect of HIV-Related Stress and General Life Stress on Depression and Anxiety-Related Functional Impairment Among HIV-Positive Sexual Minority Men

Background General life stress and HIV-related stress have been independently associated with negative mental health outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH), including anxiety and depression. HIV-positive sexual minority men (SMM) may experience both forms of stress, resulting in concurrent effects that independently exacerbate functional impairment related to anxiety and depression. Methods This study examined general life stress, HIV-related stress, and functional impairment due to depression and anxiety in a sample of 87 HIV-positive SMM. Data were collected in late 2015 and early 2016. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), HIV/AIDS Stress Scale (HASS), Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale, and Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale were used. Results Each variable was positively correlated with each other in bivariate analyses, but in multivariable models, PSS (beta = .53, p < .001) and HASS (beta = .27, p < .05) scores were both positively and independently associated with anxiety-related functional impairment. PSS was positively associated with depression-related functional impairment (beta = .64, p < .001), but HASS did not maintain a significant independent association with this outcome (beta = .00, p = .99). Conclusion These findings support an association between combined stress and negative mental health outcomes among HIV-positive SMM. Policy Implications Our findings support the idea for researchers and clinicians to be mindful of additional sources of stress and associations with mental health when developing interventions to promote better physical and mental health for this population.