Perceptions Prediagnosis and Social Experiences Postdiagnosis Among a Sample of High-Risk Peruvian Men Who Have Sex With Men

This pilot study examines associations of perceived stigma prediagnosis with experienced stigma and social support postdiagnosis with qualitative data, and quantifies the interplay between pre- and postdiagnosis social factors on depressive symptoms among a sample of newly diagnosed Peruvian men who have sex with men (n = 67 total). Qualitative findings highlight the differences between perceptions of stigma predisclosure and actual social experiences postdisclosure for most participants. Perceived stigma prediagnosis was significantly related to postdiagnosis social support, B = -0.35, p =.03, and marginally associated with experienced stigma, B = 0.29, p =.07. Prediagnosis perceived stigma was associated with greater depressive symptoms, but only among individuals who reported higher amounts of social support, B = 0.55, p =.01. Findings suggest the importance of addressing social perceptions in order to optimize the beneficial effects of social support resources among newly diagnosed individuals.