Research suggests that having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as genital herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) can negatively affect sexual well-being. However, there is little research examining factors associated with poorer sexual well-being among individuals with a STI. This study investigated the extent to which stigma experiences, individual characteristics, and STI characteristics were associated with multiple aspects of sexual well-being among individuals diagnosed with herpes and/or HPV. Participants were an average of 36 years old (SD = 11.58) and included 188 individuals with herpes and/or HPV who completed measures of sexual activity, sexual problems, and sexual cognitive-affective factors. The results showed that experiences of stigmatization were the most important predictors of sexual well-being. Participants who perceived were stigmatized by others as well as those who internalized negative social attitudes to a greater extent reported poorer sexual well-being across all dimensions, over and above individual and STI characteristics. The implications of these findings for sexual health professionals are discussed.

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There has been little experimental research examining characteristics that contribute to the stigmatization of individuals with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) other than HIV. We examined 3 illness characteristics (STI type, control over transmission, target gender) and 3 observer characteristics (sexual attitudes, sexual experience, observer gender) characteristics. Undergraduates (N = 207) read 1 of 8 vignettes and provided ratings of enacted stigma, felt stigma, and attributions of blame. As predicted, ratings of blame and stigmatization were significantly greater by individuals with more conservative attitudes and in the conditions in which the target had more behavioral control and contracted herpes. We found little evidence for a sexual double standard. Implications for the development and maintenance of illness-related stigmas are discussed.

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