Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12202/6353
Title: The relationship between internalized HIV/AIDS stigma and smoking behaviors in people living with HIV/AIDS
Authors: Weinberger, Andrea H.
Seng, Elizabeth K.
Shuter, Jonathan
Foley, Fredrick W.
Moadel-Robblee, Alyson
Segal, Kate Schoenbaum
Keywords: HIV/AIDS
Internalized HIV Stigma
HIV stigma
cigarette smoking
nicotine dependence
clinical psychology
Issue Date: Aug-2019
Publisher: New York, NY: Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Yeshiva University.
Citation: Segal, Kate Schoenbaum. (2019). The relationship between internalized HIV/AIDS stigma and smoking behaviors in people living with HIV/AIDS. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Yeshiva University]
Abstract: Introduction People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) smoke cigarettes at a high prevalence. PLWHA experience internalized HIV/AIDS stigma (IHAS) at high rates and smoking and IHAS are associated with negative health outcomes. This study was the first to examine the relationship between IHAS and smoking behaviors (i.e., smoking status, nicotine dependence, motivation to quit smoking) in a sample of PLWHA in the United States (US). Methods A convenience sample of 287 PLWHA at the Montefiore Center for Positive Living (145 current smokers, 43.9% female, 55% Latina/o) completed a survey on psychological and personality factors and smoking behaviors. IHAS was assessed using the Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale (IARSS). Smoking status was assessed via self-report and confirmed via expired carbon monoxide levels. Nicotine dependence was assessed using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, and motivation to quit smoking was assessed using the Contemplation Ladder. The relationship between IHAS and each smoking behavior was examined using direct logistic regressions. Additional analyses adjusted for age, current marijuana use, and self-reported diagnosis of AIDS. Exploratory analyses explored depression as a possible moderator and mediator in the relationship between IHAS and smoking behaviors. Results No significant associations between IHAS, smoking status, nicotine dependence, and motivation to quit were found. For the individual IARSS item “I sometimes feel worthless because I am HIV positive,” current smokers were more likely to answer yes to the item compared to non-current smokers [χ2 (1, n = 287) = 6.73, p < 0.01]. For item “I hide my HIV status from others,” non-current smokers were more likely to answer yes to the item compared to current smokers [χ2 (1, n = 287) = 4.28, p = 0.04]. For item “I feel guilty that I am HIV positive,” smokers with high nicotine dependence were more likely to answer yes to the item compared to smokers with low ND [χ2 (1, n = 145) = 4.45, p = 0.04]. Conclusions While overall IHAS was not associated with smoking variables, some specific aspects of IHAS were. Given the high rate of smoking and IHAS experienced by PLWHA, research on other barriers to optimal smoking outcomes in PLWHA is needed.
Description: Doctoral diissertation, PhD. Psychology, Ferkauf Graduate School, Open Access.
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12202/6353
Appears in Collections:Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology: Doctoral Dissertations

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