A Relationship-Oriented Model of HIV-Related Stigma Derived from a Review of the HIV-Affected Couples Literature

Abstract

Previous research has focused on the influence of HIV-related stigma for the psychological adjustment and physical health of persons with HIV/AIDS. Few studies, however, have examined the impact of HIV-related stigma on close relationships where one or both couple members have HIV/AIDS. The current review will integrate previous research findings to substantiate a relationship-oriented theoretical model of HIV-related stigma that delineates interpersonal variables important for understanding the influence of types of HIV-related stigma on couple-level as well as relevant individual-level outcomes. In doing so, supportive evidence is presented from the extant quantitative and qualitative literature that has assessed or examined HIV-affected couple members' experiences with HIV-related stigma. Implications from this review are presented for researchers who examine issues related to HIV-related stigma.

Barriers and Facilitators to Routine HIV Testing in VA Primary Care

“…The concomitant perspective that both routine testing and this more 'opt-in' scenario are desirable for patients is understandable given the stigma associated with HIV disease [21][22][23] . Although HIV is less stigmatized than in the past, patients remain concerned about the confidentiality of testing and results.…”

The dyadic effects of HIV stigma on the mental health of children and their parents in South Africa

“…Recent advancements in conceptual models of stigma have developed our understanding of HIV stigma. For example, the HIV Stigma Framework illustrates that social relationships are key to understanding the mechanisms through which stigma effects behaviour and poor physical and psychological health (Talley & Bettencourt, 2010; Tsai et al, 2013). These conceptual advancements in our understanding of stigma are particularly relevant to families who might be affected by HIV in multiple ways, including any combination of the following: a parent (a term we will also use to include caregivers serving as a parental surrogate) is living with HIV illness, a child is living with a parent who has HIV, a child is living with HIV, or a child has been orphaned by AIDS.…”

Can promoting romantic relationship quality help gay and bisexual men better face HIV stigma?

“…Romantic relationships and HIV stigma Talley and Bettencourt (2010) proposed a relational model of HIV stigma that triggered the authors' interest in writing the present review. It promotes the notion that HIV stigma interacts with interpersonal and individual variables to impact individual (e.g., physical health and anxiety) and relational (e.g., relationship quality and sexual functioning) outcomes, and it introduces the idea of relationship characteristics acting as buffers against stigma.…”

“…Such stressors may include, but are not limited to, differences in the partners' level of outness de los Reyes and González (i.e., the degree to which each partner has made their sexual identity known to others) and their experiences of homophobia. Talley and Bettencourt (2010) included partner social support as a mediator between stigma and couple-level outcomes. As previously mentioned, social support between the members of a couple can be considered an interpersonal resource that buffers against stigma (Haas, 2002;Stumbo et al, 2011) and could therefore be integrated as a component in couple-oriented interventions.…”