RESUMO
PURPOSE: Black women in the U.S. are disproportionately impacted by HIV and adverse life events (ALE). High self-esteem has been noted as a protective factor and low self-esteem has been linked to mental health diagnoses. However, the existing literature is limited in the examination of how self-esteem may buffer relationships between ALE and mental health diagnoses among Black women living with HIV (BWLWH). METHODS: One hundred and nineteen BWLWH completed self-report measures on self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and ALE (Life Events Checklist for DSM-5) (e.g. sexual assault, physical assault, accidents, natural disaster) as well as a clinical interview (via Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Inventory) to diagnose current depression, PTSD, and suicidality. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regressions indicated that higher self-esteem was associated with lower likelihood of current depression (OR = .894, p < .01), PTSD (OR = .838, p < .001) and suicidality (OR = .889, p < .05). Interactions between self-esteem and total ALE significantly predicted current depression (OR = .000003, p < .05) and PTSD (OR = 2.7182 × 10-9, p < .001); and higher total ALE related to higher likelihood of current PTSD only among BWLWH reporting lower self-esteem (OR = 1.21, p < .05). CONCLUSION: Interventions addressing mental health diagnoses among BWLWH should incorporate strategies to enhance self-esteem.