Self-esteem, adverse life events, and mental health diagnoses among Black women living with HIV.

PURPOSE

Black women in the U.S. are disproportionately impacted by HIV and adverse life events (ALE). High self-esteem has been noted as a protective factor and low self-esteem has been linked to mental health diagnoses. However, the existing literature is limited in the examination of how self-esteem may buffer relationships between ALE and mental health diagnoses among Black women living with HIV (BWLWH).

METHODS

One hundred and nineteen BWLWH completed self-report measures on self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and ALE (Life Events Checklist for DSM-5) (e.g. sexual assault, physical assault, accidents, natural disaster) as well as a clinical interview (via Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Inventory) to diagnose current depression, PTSD, and suicidality.

RESULTS

Multivariable logistic regressions indicated that higher self-esteem was associated with lower likelihood of current depression (OR = .894,  < .01), PTSD (OR = .838,  < .001) and suicidality (OR = .889,  < .05). Interactions between self-esteem and total ALE significantly predicted current depression (OR = .000003,  < .05) and PTSD (OR = 2.7182 × 10,  < .001); and higher total ALE related to higher likelihood of current PTSD only among BWLWH reporting lower self-esteem (OR = 1.21,  < .05).

CONCLUSION

Interventions addressing mental health diagnoses among BWLWH should incorporate strategies to enhance self-esteem.