HIV Stigma, Sexual Identity Stigma and Online Coping Strategy of Gay, Bisexual and Queer People Living with HIV: A Moderated Mediation Study

INTRODUCTION: Living with HIV/AIDS is more difficult for gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) people as they face stigma on both the disease and sexuality, which puts significant stress on coping with stressors, and online platforms have become an alternative coping channel.

METHODS: This study investigated the use of online coping strategies in moderating the HIV stigma mediated by sexual identity stigma on mental health in Malaysia. 123 GBQ people living with HIV between the ages of 20 and 39 participated in the study, responding to the HIV Stigma - Short Form Scale, adapted China MSM Stigma Scale, Online Coping Inventory, and DASS-21.

RESULT: Results were analyzed using OLS, and logistic regression path modeling showed a statistically significant indirect effect of sexual identity stigma mediating HIV stigma on depressive (ab = 0.1362), anxiety (ab = 0.1259), and stress (ab = 0.1636) levels. Problem-focused online coping strategy was found to moderate the indirect association between HIV stigma and depression levels via sexual identity stigma at low (β = 0.2110, SE = 0.0741, p