CULTURAL VALUES AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SEEKING IN OLDER NIGERIANS LIVING WITH HIV - Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion

Q: What question does the study address about older Nigerians living with HIV?

It examines associations between cultural values and mental health seeking attitudes and intentions among older people living with HIV in Nigeria.

Q: How were participants and outcomes assessed?

A total of 150 participants who identified as people living with HIV completed questionnaires measuring sociocultural and sociodemographic factors, mental health seeking, and related health variables.

Q: Which factors were associated with mental health seeking attitude and intentions?

Aging related to decreased mental health seeking attitude, while partnership status, perceived stress, masculinity, and collectivism showed positive associations. Increased mental health seeking attitude was linked to greater intentions to seek family mental health support, including in both emotional/personal problems and when suicidal thoughts occur.

Q: What is the study’s main implication for intervention in Nigeria?

Strengthen access and tailor HIV-related mental health interventions by incorporating cultural values, mental health seeking attitudes, and intentions to seek support.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Aria

Cultural values and mental health support seeking among older Nigerians living with HIV are examined to explain how stigma and help-seeking attitudes may shape care access. About 2 million people live with HIV in Nigeria, with reported rates of suicide attempt, suicide ideation, alcohol abuse, and depression. The study models associations between cultural dimensions and mental health seeking attitude, including intentions to seek family support during emotional or personal problems and when suicidal thoughts occur. Regression results link aging, masculinity, collectivism, stress, and partnership status with these attitudes and intentions, informing tailored HIV mental health interventions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

788 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 outcomes measures. Multivariate linear regression models were fitted to determine if masculinity and collectivism were associated with mental health seeking attitude (MHSA), intention to seek mental health support from family during emotional/personal problems (MHSIF-E), and when having suicidal thoughts (MHSIF-S). Age, gender, education, relationship status, and perceived stress were covariates in the models. Results: Aging is associated with decreased MHSA (β = -0.172, p < 0.019), those who are partnered are more likely to report higher MHSA (β = 3.955, p < 0.005) and MHSIF-E (β = 2.775, p < 0.00), and higher perceived stress is associated MHSA (β = 0.334, p< 0.014) . Increased masculinity (β = 0.417, p < 0.02) and collectivism (β = 0.251, p < 0.018) are associated with increased MHSA. Increased MHSA is associated with increased MHSIF-E (β = 0.203, p < 0.002) and MHSIF-S (β = 0.259, p < 0.001) . Conclusion: To strengthen access and tailor HIV-related mental health interventions in Nigeria, programs must consider cultural values, mental health seeking attitudes, and intentions to seek support. Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2675 CULTURAL VALUES AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SEEKING IN OLDER NIGERIANS LIVING WITH HIV Candidus Nwakasi1, and Chinelo Nduka2, 1. University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States, 2. Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra, Nigeria Background: About 2 million people are living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Nigeria. The prevalence rate is 2.3% for suicide attempt, 2.9% for suicide ideation, 7% for alcohol abuse, and 28.2% for depression in this group. To add to our understanding of this burden and how to mitigate it, this study examined the associations between cultural values, mental health seeking attitudes and intentions among older PLWHIV in Nigeria. Methods: We recruited 150 participants (Mage = 55.2) who identified as PLWHIV. They completed a questionnaire assessing sociocultural and sociodemographic factors, mental health seeking, and health

FAQs

What question does the study address about older Nigerians living with HIV?

It examines associations between cultural values and mental health seeking attitudes and intentions among older people living with HIV in Nigeria.

How were participants and outcomes assessed?

A total of 150 participants who identified as people living with HIV completed questionnaires measuring sociocultural and sociodemographic factors, mental health seeking, and related health variables.

Which factors were associated with mental health seeking attitude and intentions?

Aging related to decreased mental health seeking attitude, while partnership status, perceived stress, masculinity, and collectivism showed positive associations. Increased mental health seeking attitude was linked to greater intentions to seek family mental health support, including in both emotional/personal problems and when suicidal thoughts occur.

What is the study’s main implication for intervention in Nigeria?

Strengthen access and tailor HIV-related mental health interventions by incorporating cultural values, mental health seeking attitudes, and intentions to seek support.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Aria