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Article
Perceived and experienced stigma among people living with HIV: Examining the role of prior stigmatization on reasons for and against future disclosures
Journal of Applied Communication Research (2016)
  • Danielle Catona, Ph.D., Seton Hall University
  • Kathryn Greene
  • Kate Magsamen-Conrad, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus
  • Amanda Carpenter
Abstract
HIV remains a significant health concern entering the fourth decade of the epidemic [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2014. HIV basics. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html], and people living with HIV continue to grapple with stigma. This study uses Leary and Schreindorfer's conceptualization of stigma to explore prior stigmatization on reasons for and against future disclosures. We interviewed HIV+ individuals (N = 59) and used a combination of deductive and inductive coding to analyze participants’ responses. Deductive codes consisted of four stigma characteristics (pose a threat to others’ health and safety, deviate from group standards, create negative emotional reactions in others, and failure to contribute), experiences of feeling stigmatized due to HIV status (yes or no), and the degree to which HIV stigma was a concern (major, minor, or no concern). Inductive coding identified examples of perceived and experienced stigma and stigma concerns on future disclosure decision-making. Practical implications discuss individual, institutional, and societal stigma-reduction interventions and programs.
Keywords
  • HIV/AIDS,
  • stigma,
  • perceived stigma,
  • experienced stigma,
  • disclosure,
  • disclosure decision-making
Disciplines
Publication Date
2016
DOI
10.1080/00909882.2016.1155726
Citation Information
Danielle Catona, Kathryn Greene, Kate Magsamen-Conrad and Amanda Carpenter. "Perceived and experienced stigma among people living with HIV: Examining the role of prior stigmatization on reasons for and against future disclosures" Journal of Applied Communication Research Vol. 44 Iss. 2 (2016) p. 136 - 155
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/danielle-catona/1/