Attachment Insecurity and Stigma as Predictors of Depression and Anxiety in People Living With HIV

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether attachment insecurity, stigma, and certain demographic and medical factors predict depression and anxiety in people living with HIV (PLWH). METHODS: Participants were 147 PLWH who visited the outpatient infection clinic in Kyungpook National University Hospital (KNUH; Daegu, South Korea) between June 2020 and January 2021. We measured HIV-related stigma, attachment anxiety and avoidance, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that unemployment, longer time receiving antiretroviral therapy, higher attachment avoidance, and higher attachment anxiety were significant predictors of depression. Results also showed that longer time receiving antiretroviral therapy, higher attachment anxiety, and concern with public attitudes were significant predictors of anxiety. CONCLUSION: In addition to education to reduce public stigma, interventions to reduce PLWH’s self-stigma should continue. We suggest attachment-based psychotherapy as an effective intervention to improve PLWH’s mental health.