HIV-related stressors and psychological functioning among adolescents living with perinatal HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Introduction: Adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV (APHs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face significant psychological challenges due to HIV-related stressors such as stigma and the burden of chronic illness, which can negatively impact mental health and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, are common among APHs and often compounded by poverty, orphanhood, and stigma affecting both APHs and their caregivers. This study examines associations between HIV-related stressors (stigma experienced by APHs and their caregivers and the caregiver-perceived burden of the child’s illness) and psychological functioning (depressive symptoms, anxiety, and self-esteem) among APHs in South Africa. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed baseline data from the VUKA Family Program, an intervention in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (2014–2019). The sample included 315 APHs (aged 9–15) and their caregivers. Descriptive statistics assessed psychological functioning and HIV-related stressors. Multivariate regression analyses examined associations between APH-perceived stigma, caregiver-experienced stigma, caregiver-reported burden of the child’s illness, and psychological functioning outcomes. Results: Most APHs (M = 11.94 years, SD = 1.55, 52% female) reported high self-esteem (M = 86.3, SD = 10.1) despite experiencing elevated anxiety (M = 4.47, SD = 2.86) and depressive symptoms (M = 7.56, SD = 2.08). Caregivers (M = 40.48 years, SD = 12.96) experienced significant caregiving burden (M = 40.04, SD = 7.73). Both APHs (M = 19.6, SD = 3.80) and caregivers (M = 18.2, SD = 4.61) reported moderate levels of exposure to HIV-related stigma. Regression analyses showed that higher levels of APH-experienced stigma was associated to lower levels self-esteem (b = −0.75, p < 0.001), higher levels of anxiety (b = 0.29, p < 0.001), and depressive symptoms (b = 0.11, p < 0.001). Caregiver stigma predicted higher levels of APH anxiety (b = 0.11, p = 0.01) but was not significantly associated with self-esteem or depressive symptoms. Discussion: Findings highlight the critical role of HIV-related stigma in shaping APH mental health. Addressing stigma among APHs and caregivers through targeted interventions may improve psychological outcomes. Future research should explore self-esteem as a protective factor and validate depression scales for APHs in SSA.