Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing
Published on: January 24, 2020
Mastery moderates the negative effect of stigma on depressive symptoms in people living with HIV
Sergio Rueda1, Katherine Gibson, Sean B Rourke
1The Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN), 1300 Yonge Street, Suite 600, Toronto, ON, M4T 1X3, Canada. srueda@ohtn.on.ca
Abstract:
Stigma continues to have a negative effect on the care, treatment, and support of people living with HIV. This study presents baseline data from 825 participants taking part in a cohort study that collects data on the clinical profile and social determinants of health of people with HIV. We performed multivariate regression analysis to evaluate whether mastery and social support moderated the negative effect of stigma on depressive symptoms. Stigma was associated with depressive symptoms after controlling for potential demographic and clinical confounders. In addition, higher levels of mastery and social support were associated with lower levels of depression. However, only mastery moderated the negative effects of stigma on depressive symptoms. For individuals with high levels of mastery, greater exposure to stigma does not translate into greater distress. Interventions targeting the mental health concerns of people with HIV should increase their focus on improving people' sense of personal control.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Long-term Depression

