Disclosure of HIV status and psychological well-being among Latino gay and bisexual men

This study examined disclosure of HIV-positive serostatus by 301 Latino gay and bisexual men to members of their social networks and the mental health consequences of such disclosure. The sample was recruited from clinics, hospitals, and community agencies in New York City, Washington, DC, and Bosto...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AIDS and behavior 2005-03, Vol.9 (1), p.15-26
Main Authors: Zea, María Cecilia, Reisen, Carol A, Poppen, Paul J, Bianchi, Fernanda T, Echeverry, John J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Bisexuality
Bisexuality - psychology
Depression - diagnosis
Depression - ethnology
Depression - psychology
Friends - ethnology
Friends - psychology
Hispanic Americans - psychology
HIV Seropositivity - ethnology
HIV Seropositivity - psychology
Homosexuality
Homosexuality, Male - ethnology
Homosexuality, Male - psychology
Humans
Latin American Cultural Groups
Male
Males
Mental depression
Mental Health
New York City
Parents - psychology
Quality of Life - psychology
Self Concept
Self Disclosure
Sexual Partners - psychology
Social Support
Truth Disclosure
Well Being
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Summary:This study examined disclosure of HIV-positive serostatus by 301 Latino gay and bisexual men to members of their social networks and the mental health consequences of such disclosure. The sample was recruited from clinics, hospitals, and community agencies in New York City, Washington, DC, and Boston. Proportions disclosing differed depending on the target, with 85% having disclosed to closest friend, 78% to male main partner, 37% to mother, and 23% to father. Although there were differences depending on the target, disclosure was related to greater quality of social support, greater self-esteem, and lower levels of depression. Moreover, findings indicated that social support mediated the relationship between disclosure of serostatus and both self-esteem and depression. Thus, disclosure resulted in greater social support, which in turn had positive effects on psychological well-being. Findings demonstrate that generally Latino gay men are selective in choosing people to whom they disclose their serostatus and that disclosure tends to be associated with positive outcomes.
ISSN:1090-7165
1573-3254
DOI:10.1007/s10461-005-1678-z