Browsing by Subject "self-disclosure"

Background: Young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) are a particularly vulnerable group for HIV infection. HIV-positive YBMSM often suffer from mental health challenges as a result of discrimination based on their HIV status, race, and sexual preferences. Potential associations among HIV self-disclosure, social support, and mental health have been reported in several studies. The aim of this study is to explore the associations among self-disclosure, social support and mental health, including depression and anxiety. Methods: Cross-sectional secondary data, with a sample size of 199 HIV-positive YBMSM, was retrieved from the baseline data of an on-going study. Qualitative interviews were conducted at three sites in North Carolina. Linear regression and content analysis were used in the quantitative and qualitative analysis respectively to explore the associations among self-disclosure, social support, and mental health. Results: In linear regression models for depression and anxiety, social support was significantly associated with depression (p<0.01) and anxiety (p<0.05). Self-disclosure was not significantly associated with depression or anxiety in regression analyses. Qualitative analysis showed connections between social support and mental health as well as self-disclosure and mental health. Conclusions: Both self-disclosure and social support could affect mental health in YBMSM. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms linking self-disclosure, social support, and mental health to develop effective and tailored mental health interventions for this marginalized population.

The stigma surrounding mental illness has been shown to have a negative impact on social relationships. However, less research has focused on the mechanisms through which the connection between stigma and relational outcomes can be explained. The primary purpose of the three studies was to evaluate the extent to which chronic and situational forms of stigma and concealment negatively predict disclosure of negative emotions, distress, and personal information through the endorsement of avoidant-oriented motives and goals. In Study 1, cross-sectional methodology was used to evaluate the role of avoidant-orientation as a mediating mechanism through which internalized stigma predicts disclosure of negative emotions and distress to friends. In Study 2, experimental methodology was used to evaluate the extent to which a situational forms of stigma salience affects endorsement of avoidant-oriented friendship goals and self-disclosure within a hypothetical friendship formation scenario. In Study 3, experimental methodology was used to test the effect of avoidant and approach-oriented friendship goals on self-disclosure within the same hypothetical friendship formation scenario. Across the studies, results did not provide evidence for the role of avoidant-orientation as a mechanism through which forms of stigma affect self-disclosure. However, results from Study 1 and Study 2 did provide evidence that concealing mental illness from friends negatively predicts self-disclosure within established and developing friendships.