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Stigma, isolation and depression among older adults living with HIV in rural areas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 January 2019

Katherine G. Quinn Open the ORCID record for Katherine G. Quinn [Opens in a new window] ,
Molly K. Murphy ,
Zack Nigogosyan  and
Andrew E. Petroll
Katherine G. Quinn*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Center for AIDS Intervention Research Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Molly K. Murphy
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Center for AIDS Intervention Research Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Zack Nigogosyan
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Andrew E. Petroll
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Center for AIDS Intervention Research Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
*
*Corresponding author. Email: kaquinn@mcw.edu
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Abstract

There is a growing population of ageing individuals living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Older adults living with HIV often contend with intersecting stigmas including HIV stigma, ageism and, for some, homonegativity and/or racism. Although the HIV stigma literature is quite robust, research on the relationship between HIV stigma, social support and mental wellbeing among older adults living with HIV is limited. This study begins to address this gap by examining how intersectional stigma affects social support and mental wellbeing among rural-dwelling older adults living with HIV. Qualitative interviews were conducted by phone with 29 older adults living with HIV, over the age of 50, living in rural areas of the United States of America. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic content analysis in MAXQDA qualitative analysis software. Analysis revealed three primary themes. The first had to do with gossip and non-disclosure of HIV status, which intersected with ageism and homonegativity to exacerbate experiences that fell within the remaining themes of experiences of physical and psychological isolation and loneliness, and shame and silence surrounding depression. The prevalence of social isolation and the effects of limited social support among older adults living with HIV are prominent and indicate a need for tailored interventions within the HIV care continuum for older adults living with HIV.

Keywords

stigmaageingHIVsocial supportmental health
Type
Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 40 , Issue 6 , June 2020 , pp. 1352 - 1370
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

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