Health Care Neglect, Perceived Discrimination, and Dignity-Related Distress Among Chinese Patients With HIV

AIDS Educ Prev. 2016 Feb;28(1):90-102. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2016.28.1.90.

Abstract

Dignity-related distress is overlooked in patients with HIV (PHIV). The dignity model, which elucidates the key features of dignity-related distress, has not been applied to the context of stigmatized diseases. By targeting the stigmatized disease of HIV among a Chinese sample, the present study examined the roles of health care neglect and perceived discrimination in dignity-related distress. In this cross-sectional study, 119 Chinese PHIV completed measures of dignity-related distress, psychological symptoms, physical symptoms, health care neglect, and perceived discrimination. The results showed that psychological symptoms, physical symptoms, and health care neglect not only independently predicted dignity-related distress, but also moderated with each other to show a three-way interaction. Perceived discrimination also explained the variance in dignity-related distress. Our findings contribute to the dignity model by providing evidence for factors associated with dignity-related distress, with focus on HIV. Suggestions to advocate for fair treatment for PHIV and reduce HIV-related discrimination are given.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asian People
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Healthcare Disparities / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personhood
  • Psychometrics
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*