Open AccessHIV-related stigma and psychological distress: the harmful effects of specific stigma manifestations in various social settings
Author(s) -
Sarah E. Stutterheim,
John B. Pryor,
Arjan E. R. Bos,
Robert Hoogendijk,
Peter Muris,
H.P. Schaalma
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
aids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.195
H-Index - 216
eISSN - 1473-5571
pISSN - 0269-9370
DOI - 10.1097/qad.0b013e3283320dce
Subject(s) - stigma (botany) , psychological intervention , distress , psychology , clinical psychology , social support , social stigma , psychological distress , medicine , anxiety , psychiatry , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , social psychology , family medicine
Recent research has shown that experiences of stigmatization have an adverse impact on the psychological well being of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Most studies investigating this relationship employ an aggregate measure of stigma. Although this approach provides useful information about the psychological implications of HIV-related stigma in general, it neglects to acknowledge the possibility that some manifestations in specific settings may be psychologically more detrimental than others. The present study examines which specific stigma experiences are most strongly related to psychological distress across a number of social settings.