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. 2021 Jun 4;16(6):e0252783.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252783. eCollection 2021.

Associations of internalized and anticipated HIV stigma with returning to work for persons living with HIV

Joseph S Lightner  1   2 , Serena Rajabiun  3 , Howard J Cabral  4 , Jessica Flaherty  5 , Jamie Shank  2 , Ronald Brooks  6
Affiliations

Associations of internalized and anticipated HIV stigma with returning to work for persons living with HIV

Joseph S Lightner et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Introduction: Employment is particularly beneficial for persons living with HIV (PLWH). However, PLWH experiencing internalized stigma or anticipating that they may experience stigma may be less likely to seek employment due to additional barriers associated with HIV. The purpose of this study was to understand the associations between internalized and anticipated stigma and employment barriers for PLWH.

Methods: Participants (N = 712) from 12 sites across the United States were recruited and interviewed about barriers to employment, HIV stigma, and several other factors related to health. A series of unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were conducted using cross-sectional data.

Results: Adjusted models suggest that greater anticipated stigma was related to increased employment barriers (β = 0.12, p = 0.04). Mental and physical health functioning also positively predicted employment barriers (β = -0.18, p <0.001; β = -0.40, p <0.001, respectively).

Discussion: Employment among PLWH has beneficial impacts on HIV-related health outcomes. This study suggests that anticipated stigma may limit and individual's willingness to seek out employment, or may cause them to leave employment. Internalized stigma may not play as large of a role in employment as anticipated stigma for PLWH. HIV-related stigma reduction interventions focused on community-level and employers are essential to improve employment opportunities for PLWH.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare. During the data collection of this study, Joseph Lightner was a paid consultant for the Kansas City Health Department. During the preparation of this manuscript, Joseph Lightner was not paid. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and material.

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