Perceived Stress and Health Outcomes Among Latinx and Non-Latinx White Adult People With HIV in East Harlem, New York: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract: Stress and HIV disproportionately affect Latinx adults in the United States, contributing to numerous health inequities. Among people living with HIV (PLWH), increased stress is associated with decreased medication adherence, effectiveness, and higher rates of immunosuppression and comorbidities. Our study (N = 126) examined the relationship between perceived stress and HIV-related health among Latinx (n = 83) and non-Latinx White (n = 43) PLWH. Latinx PLWH reported better HIV-related health outcomes than non-Latinx White PLWH, despite higher viral load (all p's < .05). An interaction effect showed that higher perceived distress was associated with worse health outcomes and lower CD4+ T cell count only in Latinx PLWH (p's < .05). Our findings highlight the consequences of stress on HIV-related health. Notably, higher stress may be especially detrimental among Latinx PLWH, underscoring the need for more culturally tailored interventions in HIV-related care. Future research should include additional sociocultural factors and longitudinal assessment in a larger sample.