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Development of Parallel Scales to Measure HIV-Related Stigma

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Abstract

HIV-related stigma is a multidimensional concept which has pervasive effects on the lives of HIV-infected people as well as serious consequences for the management of HIV/AIDS. In this research three parallel stigma scales were developed to assess personal views of stigma, stigma attributed to others, and internalised stigma experienced by HIV-infected individuals. The stigma scales were administered in two samples: a community sample of 1,077 respondents and 317 HIV-infected pregnant women recruited at clinics from the same community in Tshwane (South Africa). A two-factor structure referring to moral judgment and interpersonal distancing was confirmed across scales and sample groups. The internal consistency of the scales was acceptable and evidence of validity is reported. Parallel scales to assess and compare different perspectives of stigma provide opportunities for research aimed at understanding stigma, assessing the consequences or evaluating possible interventions aimed at reducing stigma.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grant R24-HD043558 (awarded to Bridget Jeffery, Serithi project, University of Pretoria under the auspices of the Medical Research Council, Unit for Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies) from the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development. We acknowledge the contributions of Professor B. Jeffery, Dr A. de Villiers, Ms R. Gcabo (University of Pretoria), Professor K. Sikkema (Duke University) and the Serithi research team in conducting the research, and Dr D. Cicchetti (Yale University) for assistance with the statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria, Brooklyn, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa

    Maretha J. Visser

  2. School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

    Trace Kershaw

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria/Medical Research Unit for Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies, Kalafong Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa

    Jennifer D. Makin

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Brian W. C. Forsyth

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  1. Maretha J. Visser
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  2. Trace Kershaw
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Correspondence to Maretha J. Visser.

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Visser, M.J., Kershaw, T., Makin, J.D. et al. Development of Parallel Scales to Measure HIV-Related Stigma. AIDS Behav 12, 759–771 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9363-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9363-7

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