HIV E HOMONEGATIVIDADE INTERNALIZADA: INFLUÊNCIA DO STATUS SOROLÓGICO NA SAÚDE MENTAL DE HOMENS GAYS BRASILEIROS

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.947112518037

• Palavras-chave: HIV; depressão; homonegatividade; estigma; saúde mental.

• Keywords: HIV; depression; homonegativity; stigma; mental health.

• Abstract: This study examines the association between HIV status, depressive symptoms and homonegativity among Brazilian gay men. A total of 410 participants, 217 (52.92%) living with HIV and 193 (47.08%) without HIV, completed the Beck Depression Inventory II, the Internalized Homophobia Scale and the sociodemographic questionnaire. Our results indicated a high prevalence of depressive symptoms, both in those living with HIV (52.2%) and those not living with HIV (62.6%). High homonegativity scores were found, with higher scores among participants without HIV. Unexpectedly, participants living with HIV reported lower mean scores for depressive symptoms and homonegativity compared to those without HIV. Homonegativity played an important role in the link between HIV status and depression. The lower depressive symptoms and homonegativity among participants with HIV may be due to greater access to structured health services. These findings highlight the need to promote public policies against stigma, improve access to mental health services and develop targeted intervention programs.