Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between
internalized stigma (IS) and depression, and treatment adherence and
health-related quality of life (HRQL) in people living with HIV.
Method: This cross-sectional study included 75 consecutive individuals
living with HIV who had been diagnosed at least three months prior and
volunteered to participate. Participants completed a sociodemographic
data form, the Berger HIV Stigma Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory
(BDI), the Modified Morisky Treatment Adherence Scale, and the Short
Form-36/HRQL Scale. Relationships between variables were evaluated
using correlation analyses. Variables affecting the HRQL subscales
were examined using multiple linear regression analyses. Statistical
significance was considered achieved when p<0.05.
Results: IS showed significant positive correlations with depressive
symptoms (p = 0.003), and significant negative correlations with social
functioning and pain. The BDI score was found to be significantly
and negatively associated with all subscales of HRQL (p < 0.001). In
multiple regression analyses, the BDI was identified as a significant
predictor of all quality of life subscales (p ≤ 0.01), while IS was not
a direct significant predictor (p>0.05). Further analysis using the
bootstrap method revealed that the relationships between the IS and
HRQL subscales were statistically significant, along with the level of
depression.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated a strong and consistent association
between depression levels and HRQL in individuals living with HIV.
Although IS was not directly related to quality of life, it showed a significant
pattern when considered in conjunction with depression levels. The
findings highlight the importance of considering psychological symptoms
and stigma experiences in the clinical follow-up of individuals living with
HIV.
Keywords: HIV, internalized