Publications
HIV stigma and older men’s psychological well-being: Do coping resources differ for gay/bisexual and straight men?
2019
Porter, K. E., Brennan-Ing, M., Burr, J., Dugan, B., & Karpiak, S. E. (2019). Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 74(4), 685-693. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbx101.
Mark Brennan-Ing
ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study investigated whether sexual orientation moderated the mediation effects of coping resources (i.e., spirituality and complementary and integrative health [CIH] use) in the relationship between HIV stigma and psychological well-being (PWB) among older men with HIV (MWH).
Method: Data from the Research of Older Adults with HIV (ROAH) study was used (N = 640, Age 50+). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine a coping resource mediation model. We used a multiple-group procedure to test moderation effects by sexual orientation.
Results: HIV stigma was negatively associated with spirituality and PWB. HIV stigma accounted for a significant amount of variance in PWB, with significant indirect effects via spirituality, indicating a partial mediation. Chi-square difference tests supported the hypothesis that this mediation effect was moderated by sexual orientation. CIH use was not statistically significant.
Discussion: HIV stigma’s negative relationship with PWB was salient in both groups. Spirituality’s buffer between HIV stigma and PWB was stronger in older gay/bisexual MWH compared to their heterosexual counterparts. With respect to HIV stigma, older gay/bisexual MWH exhibited a “crisis competence” in coping with stigma, perhaps through overcoming past homophobia related to their sexual minority status (i.e., homophobia).