Perceived HIV-related Stigma and HIV Disclosure to Relationship Partners after Finding Out about the Seropositive Diagnosis

Abstract

The present study examined how perceived HIV-related stigma (how much HIV-infected persons believe that the public stigmatizes someone with HIV) influences both reasons for and against HIV disclosure and self-reports of HIV disclosure to a friend, intimate partner and a parent. The research participants were 145 men and women living with HIV. They were asked to recall when they first learned about their HIV diagnosis. Then they indicated how much specific reasons might have influenced disclosing or not disclosing about the HIV diagnosis to a friend, intimate partner and a parent. Findings, based on the total sample, indicated that perceived HIV-related stigma was associated with the endorsement of various reasons against disclosing to a friend and a parent, including concerns about self-blame, fear of rejection, communication difficulties and a desire to protect the other person. Perceived HIV-related stigma was not associated with the endorsement of any reasons for disclosing to a friend, intimate partner or a parent, including catharsis, test other's reactions, duty to inform/educate, similarity and a close/supportive relationship with the other. In addition, perceived HIV-related stigma predicted self-reports of disclosure to a parent but not to a friend or intimate partner. Specific reasons for and against self-disclosure predicted HIV disclosure based on the type of relationship with the potential disclosure recipient. The data analyses were also stratified by gender; these results were, with some exceptions, consistent with the findings with the total sample. The research introduces scales that quantify individuals' reasons for HIV disclosure and/or nondisclosure.

Advancing methodology in the study of HIV status disclosure: The importance of considering disclosure target and intent

“…These patterns of association suggest that differences in disclosure target and intention may partly explain the previous inconsistent results on disclosure, stigma and social support (Chaudoir et al, 2011;Smith et al, 2008). It confirms previous findings that stigma and social support may play different roles in disclosure decisions to partners, family, friends or broader community (Bairan et al, 2007;Derlega et al, 2002), and that consequences may differ when disclosing to different types of actors (Greeff et al, 2008;Norman et al, 2007).…”

Stress management interventions for HIV+ adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, 1989 to 2006.

“…Coping with a chronic, life-threatening disease, however, is not without consequence as disease progression often involves a series of psychological and physical stressors that may impair daily functioning and quality of life. These stressors may involve a variety of physical symptoms, pain, concerns over disclosure of and stigma associated with HIV, and distress regarding one's own mortality (Derlega, Winstead, Greene, Serovich, & Elwood, 2002;Kalichman & Catz, 2000). …”

Helping Patients Talk About HIV: Inclusion of Messages on Disclosure in Prevention with Positives Interventions in Clinical Settings

“…However, disclosure may also be a source of stress, particularly if it results in negative consequences or involves revealing potentially stigmatized behaviors, such as homosexuality (Relf et al, 2009). Individuals who report feeling shame or stigma related to their HIV serostatus are less likely to disclose (Derlega et al, 2002), especially to casual partners (Serovich & Mosack, 2003). Depression, poor adherence, and serostatus disclosure have been found to be independently correlated with HIV-related stigma (Vanable, Carey, Blair, & Littlewood, 2006 (CDC, 2003).…”

“…Serostatus disclosure is a unique and complex process nested within social relationships, situations, and contexts (Cusick & Rhodes, 1999;Derlega, Winstead, Greene, Serovich, & Elwood, 2002). HIV serostatus disclosure to sexual partners may vary by race or ethnicity (Mansergh, Marks, & Simoni, 1995;Marks et al, 1992;Mayfield Arnold, Rice, Flannery, & Rotheram-Borus, 2008), gender (Ciccarone et al, 2003;Duru et al, 2006;Mayfield Arnold et al, 2008;Weinhardt et al, 2004), sexual orientation (Ciccarone et al, 2003;Duru et al, 2006;Weinhardt et al, 2004), partner type (Buchanan, Poppen, & Reisen, 1996;Carballo-Dieguez, Remien, Dolezal, & Wagner, 1997;Crepaz & Marks, 2003;Duru et al, 2006;Mansergh et al, 1995;Perry et al, 1994;Stein et al, 1998;Wolitski, Rietmeijer, Goldbaum, & Wilson, 1998), partner serostatus (Bachmann et al, 2009;Crepaz & Marks, 2003;De Rosa & Marks, 1998;Marks et al, 1992;, psychological well-being (Armistead, Morse, Forehand, Morse, & Clark, 1993;Bennetts et al, 1999;Kalichman & Nachimson, 1999), and substance use (Latkin et al, 2001;Marks & Crepaz, 2001;Reback, Larkins, & Shoptaw, 2003).…”