Social support as a mediator between mental health and stigma among newly HIV-positive men who have sex with men

Objectives: The sociocultural context of China gives rise to unique experiences of HIV-related stigma and adverse impacts on mental health among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. However, few studies have explored the stigma among families in the cultural context of China and the role of social support as a mediator to explain how HIV-related stigma results in poor psychological well-being. This study aims to test the mediating effect of social support between HIV-related stigma and family stigma on the mental health of MSM. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited newly MSM with HIV in two cities (Beijing and Wuhan) in China as participants from February 2021 to August 2022. A total of 257 MSM with HIV were recruited for the study. The mediating effects were examined using mediation models (SAS PROC CAUSALMED). Results: The overall total effect of HIV-related stigma on mental health was beta = -1.483 (bootstrap 95% CI = -1.881, -1.104 p < 0.001), and the mediating effect of social support was beta = -0.321 (bootstrap 95% CI = -0.571, -0.167 p = .001). A higher level of stigma from family predicts lower mental health with an overall total effect of beta = -1.487 (bootstrap 95% CI = -1.823, -1.101 p < 0.001), while the indirect effect (mediation effect) of social support on mental health is beta = -0.281 (bootstrap 95% CI = -0.477, -0.142 p = .003). Conclusions: Given the mediating effect of social support on mental health, programs enhancing social support and decreasing stigmatization should be designed to improve the mental health of MSM with HIV, the interventions are needed at both the family and community levels. Public health campaigns in China that frame HIV and same-sex behavior as chronic issues and normal phenomena can correct misinformation related to HIV and MSM that leads to stigma and negative emotional reactions.