Stigma, wellbeing and medication adherence in gay men living with HIV
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Stigma, wellbeing and medication adherence in gay men living with HIV: The role of Self Compassion and Psychological Flexibility.
IRAS ID
166918
Contact name
Keith Kerrigan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
This study aims to explore if the psychological processes of self-compassion and psychological flexibility influence the wellbeing and medication adherence of gay men living with HIV. Self-compassion is tendency to treat oneself with the same care and kindness as one would treat others and not judging oneself. Psychological flexibility is the ability to accept and fully experience the present moment along with emotions and living in line with ones values.
Studies have shown that people from minority groups can internalize societal attitudes and experience of prejudice to become part of their identity. Internalising prejudices related to more than one minority grouping can result in 'layered stigma'. Internalised stigma has been found to impact wellbeing in LGB people and people living with HIV ( including their medication adherence).
This study will use standardised measures to explore: 1) Internalisation of homonegativity / prejudice (Internalised Homonegativity Scale, Mayfield 2001) 2) Self-compassion (Self Compassion Scale; Neff, 2003), 3) Psychological Flexibility (Acceptance and Action questionnaire-II; Bond et al., 2011), 4) Depression (Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977), 5) Anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder Scale; Spitzer et al. 2006), 6) medication adherence (Chesney et al., 2000). Statistical analysis will be used to explore the relationships between these measures.
Participants will be recruited using a link on several HIV charity websites throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland (except Scotland and Wales). Participants will be told that all information will remain anonymous and will be encouraged to contact local GP / GUM services and/or a list of charities if distressed or having difficulty with medications.
The study will examine the psychological processes that help people living with stigma and will compare experiences across different regions in the UK and Ireland. It will inform future studies assessing the effectiveness of psychological therapies for people struggling with internalised stigma.REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
15/NI/0059
Date of REC Opinion
6 May 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion