Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

For many people living with HIV (PLWH), an HIV diagnosis can lead to an increase in depressive symptoms, and many people do not seek or receive treatment due to perceived stigma (Fekete et al., 2018). More recently, online psychotherapy has become increasingly common as it is low-cost, easily accessible, flexible, and is a confidential treatment option. The goal of the proposed research is to evaluate whether using an internet-based intervention (Living Positive with HIV) will significantly improve adverse mental health symptoms in PLWH compared to in-person intervention. Recruitment will occur via HIV treatment centres and participants must be referred once declaring interest in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to either 8 weekly modules of the internet-based treatment termed Living Positive with HIV, 8 weekly in-person sessions based on the Living Positive with HIV booklet, or be assigned to a waitlist control group. Primary outcomes will include depressive symptoms, while secondary outcomes will include anxiety symptoms. Clinically validated symptomology questionnaires will be completed at baseline, week 8 of treatment, 3 months post treatment and 6 months post treatment. Overall, the findings from this study will determine if online psychotherapy is a viable option for PLWH who are affected by multiple determinants of health and struggling with depression. Critically, supporting people living with HIV with social and structural determinants of health may improve access to care, adherence to HIV treatment, and prevent disease progression.