| Name | Tyrell Mann-Barnes |
| Institution | Temple University |
| Research Field | Population Research |
| Role at Institution | Graduate Student |
| Presenter(s) | Tyrell Mann-Barnes |
Anxiety and Depression Were Significant Moderators for the Association between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Quality of Life Among HIV Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men
Raesibe Tanaka Mada, BS;1 Tyrell Mann-Barnes, BA;1 Aisha Bhimla, PhD, MPH;1 Julia Trout, BA;1 Ra’Ann Merceir, BS;1 Jack Barile, PhD;2 Lorie Okada, MPH;2 Shari Brown;2 Frankie Wong, PhD;3 Krys Johnson, PhD, MPH;4 Lin Zhu, PhD;1,5 Yin Tan, MD, MPH;1 Grace X. Ma, PhD1,5
1 Center for Asian Health, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University
2 Department of Psychology, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
3 Center of Population Sciences for Health Equity (C-PHSE), College of Nursing, Florida State University
4 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Temple University
5 Department of Urban Health and Population Science, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Background: The effects of childhood trauma on quality of life among HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM) living in the United States are poorly understood. This study investigated the relationship between early childhood trauma and health related quality of life in HIV positive MSM, and whether anxiety and depression moderate that relationship.
Methods: Online surveys were administered to eligible participants who identified as MSM, living with HIV, and resided in Philadelphia or Hawaii (n=214). Participants were recruited through hospital and HIV clinics through referrals, and through community-based organizations. A linear regression model was used to assess if childhood trauma measured by Early Trauma Inventory (ETI) was a predictor of Health- Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). Moderation analyses were conducted to determine whether anxiety, measured by the generalized anxiety disorder scale and measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, moderated the relationship between childhood trauma and HRQOL.
Results: A one unit increase in ETI (β= -0.637, p<0.001), was negatively associated with HRQOL. Depression (β= 0.0772, p<0.001) and anxiety (β= -0.0443, p<0.005) were shown to moderate the association between ETI and HRQOL.
Conclusions: The results show evidence that anxiety and depression moderate the association between ETI and HRQOL in HIV+ MSM. With higher levels of depression and ETI among participants, the number of unhealthy days reported also increases. With higher levels of anxiety and ETI, participants are observed reporting lower unhealthy days. These findings will help create better trauma informed approaches that increase HRQOL in HIV+ MSM.
Acknowledgment: This project was supported by the Philadelphia Teen Outreach Project (PTOP) funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Award Number TP1AH000219 (PI: Ma), and partially supported by TUFCCC/HC Regional Comprehensive Cancer Health Disparity Partnership, Award Number U54 CA221704(5) from the National Cancer Institute of National Institutes of Health (NCI/NIH). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NCI/NIH or DHHS.