HIV-stigma and Self-Reported Health Status Among HIV-Positive MSM: The Moderating Role of Coping Self-Efficacy

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the role of coping self-efficacy as a factor moderating the relationship between HIV-related discrimination and self-reported health status among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: A sample of 456 Italian HIV-positive MSM responded to a questionnaire containing measures of HIV-related discrimination, coping self-efficacy, and self-reported health status. Results: Emotion-focused coping self-efficacy and social-based coping self-efficacy buffered the relationship between HIV-related discrimination and health status. Problem-focused coping self-efficacy did not moderate this relationship. Conclusions: Self-efficacy moderates the relationship between HIV-related discrimination and self-reported health status among MSM.