Conclusions The results showed that depression is prevalent among Chinese PLWH and perceived discrimination is a source of stress. Perceived stress, social support and coping strategies had independent effects on mental health outcomes but there were no interaction effects. The Brief COPE was validated and had a structure different from the original, again supporting the importance of cultural variations. Our results hence provided useful instrumentations (PSSHIV and Brief COPE) as well as a good foundation for the development of theories and interventions specific to the needs of the PLWH in China. / Introduction Mental health issues are prevalent among People Living with HIV (PLWH). Instrumentation, conceptualization and theoretical models of stress-coping-mental health relationships among PLWH are important but theoretical and practical differences exist in the context of different cultures and quality of care services. / Objectives The aims of the study were 1) to develop a new Perceived Stress Scale for People Living with HIV (PSSHIV); 2) to validate the Brief COPE inventory among Chinese PLWH; 3) to investigate determinants of perceived stress and psychological well-being. / Results The newly developed PSSHIV and the rearranged version of the Brief COPE were validated and found to have acceptable psychometric properties. Of all participants, 63.3% showed moderate/severe depressive symptoms. 'Problem-solving and Acceptance' and 'Self-blame and Denial' were commonly used coping strategies. Socioeconomic status (SES), perceived discrimination, and optimism were significantly associated with overall stress and some of the subscales of PSSHIV. Perceived stress appeared to mediate the relationship between perceived discrimination and psychological well-being. In addition to perceived stress, social support and some particular coping strategies were associated with depression. Similar though not identical results were found using quality of life as the outcome. / Subject and Methods To achieve Aim 1, PLWH in two Chinese cities were interviewed for item generation and validation. Aims 2 to 4 were achieved through another survey conducted in the same cities. Participants were recruited from the registry of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from users of hospital services and Methadone Maintenance Treatment clinics. Standard statistical methods were used for validation studies. / Su, Xiaoyou. / Adviser: Tak Fai Joseph Lau. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-02, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 181-206). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.