A Quantitative Analysis of Mental Health Seeking Attitudes among Young, Black, Gay or Bisexual, Men who have sex with Men living with HIV in Atlanta Público

Abstract

Objective: This thesis seeks to examine the relationships between mental health seeking behaviors, trust in physicians and discrimination in medical settings for YB-GBMSM living with HIV in Atlanta.

Methods:For this study, we used data collected from a cross-sectional survey exploring and quantifying the burden and correlates of phycological symptoms among YB-GBMSM engaged in HIV care in Atlanta. Participants were recruited from two HRSA/Ryan White-funded clinics located in metro Atlanta. The sample population is 100 YB-GBMSM living with HIV in Atlanta. Our main predictor variables were discrimination in medical settings and trust in physicians. We analyzed general well-being, anxiety and depression, beliefs towards mental illness, substance use and risk, trauma and stress-related symptoms, self-stigma of seeking help, mental health seeking intentions, HIVstigma, and religiosity as covariates. First, we conducted univariate analyses to examine the distribution and characteristics of the dataset. Second, we conducted bivariate analysis to identify significant associations between our primary predictors, demographics, and covariates. Lastly, our multivariate linear regression analysis included substance use risk, self-stigma of seeking help, organizational and intrinsic religiosity, and trust in physicians.

 

Results: In our mental health seeking attitudes’ multivariate model, Self-stigma of seeking help was significantly associated with mental health seeking attitudes, and intrinsic religiosity was trending towards a significant (negative) association as well. In our multivariate model using mental health seeking intentions as our outcome, mental health seeking intentions had a statistically significant negative association with mental health seeking attitudes and self-stigma of seeking help. 

Conclusions: Our study found that discrimination in medical settings and poor physician trust did not affect attitude and intentions towards mental health care. Our findings suggest self-stigma and religion influence mental health seeking attitudes and intentions.

Policy implications: Future mental health programming should target self-stigma and incorporate religion for YB-GBMSM living with HIV.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

LITERATURE REVIEW

A.    YB-GBMSM and Mental Health

B.    Exploring Health Seeking Attitudes and Intentions

Figure 1: Diagram of the Theory of Planned Behavior’s Stages

C.    Predictors of Mental Health Seeking Attitudes and Intentions

Medical Discrimination

Trust In Physicians

Figure 2: Diagram of Medical Discrimination and Physician Trust in the Theory of Planned Behavior

METHODS

Variables And Measurement:

Statistical Methods:

RESULTS

Table 1: Baseline Characteristics of YB-GBMSM living with HIV in Atlanta, CHIMES dataset (n=100)

A.    Bivariate Mental Health Seeking Attitudes Analysis

Table 2: Significant Results from Bivariate Linear Regression Analysis of Variables Potentially Associated with Mental Health Seeking Attitudes among YB-GBMSM living with HIV in Atlanta, CHIMES dataset (n=100) (See Appendix A for full results)

B.    Multivariate Mental Health Seeking Attitudes Analysis

Table 3: Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis of Variables Associated with Mental Health Seeking Attitudes among YB-GBMSM living with HIV in Atlanta, CHIMES dataset (n=100)

C.    Bivariate Mental Health Seeking Intentions Analysis

Table 4: Significant Results from Bivariate Linear Regression Analysis of Variables Potentially Associated with Mental Health Seeking Intentions among YB-GBMSM living with HIV in Atlanta, CHIMES dataset (n=100) (See Appendix B for full results)

D.    Multivariate Mental Health Seeking Intentions Analysis

Table 5: Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis of Variables Associated with Mental Health Seeking Intentions among YB-GBMSM living with HIV in Atlanta, CHIMES dataset (n=100)

DISCUSSION

A.    Attitudes

B.    Intentions

C.    Attitudes vs. Intentions

Figure 3: Diagram of the Theory of Planned Behavior’s Stages showing Temporal relationship

Strengths and limitations

Implications

CONCLUSION

APPENDICES

Appendix A

Table 6: Bivariate Linear Regression Analysis of Variables Potentially Associated with Mental Health Seeking Attitudes among black MSM living with HIV in Atlanta, CHIMES dataset (n=100)

Appendix B:

Table 7: Bivariate Linear Regression Analysis of Variables Potentially Associated with Mental Health Seeking Intentions among black MSM living with HIV in Atlanta, CHIMES dataset (n=100)

REFERENCES

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Palavra-chave	Mental Health MSM HIV
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Dr. Sophia Hussen, Emory University

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