The intervention is modularized to eight weekly sessions of 2-hour group discussions. The facilitator applies the principle of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and provides psychoeducation to promote the awareness and understanding of HIV stigma as well as training to help participants acquire alternative coping skills, such as relaxation techniques. In five sessions, participants are introduced to the general cognitive-behavioral model of HIV stigma and are encouraged to track their thoughts, feelings, and behavioral responses when encountering external stigma or adverse events. The participants further learn to differentiate helpful and non-helpful coping strategies and practice applying helpful coping skills to effectively reduce their HIV stigma. In the other three sessions, participants further discuss more specific stigma that intersects with HIV stigma, including stigma in healthcare settings, access to social support, and available resources on the society levels.

The intervention is modularized to have eight weekly sessions of 2-hour group discussions, led by a trained facilitator. The facilitator applies the principle of CBT and provides psychoeducation to promote the awareness and understanding of HIV stigma as well as training to help participants acquire alternative coping skills, such as relaxation techniques.

Perceived Stigma Scale (PSS). Each item is measured using a 4-point Likert scale and the scale contains four factors: personalized stigma (18 items, subscore total 18-72), disclosure concerns (12 items, subscore total 12-48), negative self-image (9 items, subscore total 9-36), and concern with public attitudes about people with HIV (12 items, subscore total 12-48). Each factor is scored separately, with total score is computed by summing all 40 items, with a minimum total PSS score of 40 and a maximum possible score of 160. Raw PSS scores were transformed into Stigma scores 1-4. Higher scores reflect higher levels of perceived stigma.

Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R) is a 12-item questionnaire that was used as a proxy measure of QOL in the study. Total maximum score of CAMS-R is 48 and minimum score is 12. Raw CAMS-R scores were transformed into QOL scores 0-3. Higher scores reflect better QOL.

The protocol group was comprised of the participants who received the final, adapted study intervention over the course of 8 weeks.

The intervention is modularized to eight weekly sessions of 2-hour group discussions. The facilitator applies the principle of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and provides psychoeducation to promote the awareness and understanding of HIV stigma as well as training to help participants acquire alternative coping skills, such as relaxation techniques. In five sessions, participants are introduced to the general cognitive-behavioral model of HIV stigma and are encouraged to track their thoughts, feelings, and behavioral responses when encountering external stigma or adverse events. The participants further learn to differentiate helpful and non-helpful coping strategies and practice applying helpful coping skills to effectively reduce their HIV stigma. In the other three sessions, participants further discuss more specific stigma that intersects with HIV stigma, including stigma in healthcare settings, access to social support, and available resources on the society levels.

Stigma reduction: The intervention is modularized to have eight weekly sessions of 2-hour group discussions, led by a trained facilitator. The facilitator applies the principle of CBT and provides psychoeducation to promote the awareness and understanding of HIV stigma as well as training to help participants acquire alternative coping skills, such as relaxation techniques.

Perceived Stigma Scale (PSS). Each item is measured using a 4-point Likert scale and the scale contains four factors: personalized stigma (18 items, subscore total 18-72), disclosure concerns (12 items, subscore total 12-48), negative self-image (9 items, subscore total 9-36), and concern with public attitudes about people with HIV (12 items, subscore total 12-48). Each factor is scored separately, with total score is computed by summing all 40 items, with a minimum total PSS score of 40 and a maximum possible score of 160. Raw PSS scores were transformed into Stigma scores 1-4. Higher scores reflect higher levels of perceived stigma.

Single-arm analysis was conducted in the protocol group.

The intervention is modularized to eight weekly sessions of 2-hour group discussions. The facilitator applies the principle of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and provides psychoeducation to promote the awareness and understanding of HIV stigma as well as training to help participants acquire alternative coping skills, such as relaxation techniques. In five sessions, participants are introduced to the general cognitive-behavioral model of HIV stigma and are encouraged to track their thoughts, feelings, and behavioral responses when encountering external stigma or adverse events. The participants further learn to differentiate helpful and non-helpful coping strategies and practice applying helpful coping skills to effectively reduce their HIV stigma. In the other three sessions, participants further discuss more specific stigma that intersects with HIV stigma, including stigma in healthcare settings, access to social support, and available resources on the society levels.

Stigma reduction: The intervention is modularized to have eight weekly sessions of 2-hour group discussions, led by a trained facilitator. The facilitator applies the principle of CBT and provides psychoeducation to promote the awareness and understanding of HIV stigma as well as training to help participants acquire alternative coping skills, such as relaxation techniques.