The current models for stigma measurement are disease-specific and created for use with adults, despite the fact that stigma may be experienced also by adolescents and may be layered, and not simply the result of one disease. Stigma in adolescents may effect their life outcome, as many emotional and social changes are happening at this point in life, therefore developing a measure to address stigma in youth is important. Focus groups of youth will be chosen based on sexual orientation, ethnic minority, street involvement, visible physical disability and history of sexual exploitation, with an eye to ensuring the sample contains individuals experiencing layered stigma. The result of research will be an adolescent- specific measure of perceived stigma, enacted stigma and internalized stigma that can be used to understand how stigma effects the perceptions, risk-behaviours and futures of youth, and to develop stigma reduction strategies.

Over the years, growing concerns were raised about the serious effect that HIV stigma has on the global HIV and AIDS-prevention response, with appeals to regard HIV stigma reduction as one of the most important factors that need to be addressed in any HIV-prevention strategy. Studies have found scant evidence of comprehensive community-based approaches to reduce stigma, as few of the existing strategies address the community, but maintain the focus mainly on behaviour change in the individual. This research study is a follow-up study to two other studies. The first study focused on people living with HIV (PLWH) and nurses in health care settings; and the second was a trans-disciplinary, comprehensive, community-based HIV stigma reduction and wellness-enhancement intervention that involved PLWH and people living close to them (PLC). This HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention was specifically planned as an intervention for the community, targeting PLWH and their community members who live in the same ward in the Tlokwe municipality in the North West Province of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to explore, describe and determine whether an HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention in a South African urban area will make a difference in the HIV stigma experiences of PLWH, as well as related stigmatisation by their community; to describe the implementation of this intervention; and to determine the change in depression and psychosocial well-being of PLWH and their community before and after the intervention. The HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention defines a “hub” as a two-person mobiliser team consisting of a PLWH and a non-infected PLC who are inhabitants of the same community and functions from a “hub” in the community. The strategy is based upon the involvement of PLWH and PLC, as community mobilisers, who share their knowledge and who mobilise and empower their own community to reduce HIV stigma. A convergent parallel mixed-method design with a single case pre-test post-test design for the quantitative data, and an interpretive description approach for the qualitative data were utilised. The sample for this study included PLWH recruited through accessibility sampling as well as community members living in the same municipal ward through random voluntary sampling. Valid measures were used to determine and describe whether the HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention will affect change in the HIV stigma experiences of PLWH, the perceived stigmatisation by their community, as well as the depression and psychosocial well-being of both PLWH and the community. A sub-sample of both groups was selected by means of purposive voluntary sampling for the qualitative part of the study, consisting of in-depth interviews about stigma experiences of PLWH, as well as stigmatisation of the community toward PLWH. For the description of the HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention, a holistic single-case study design was used. Participants were recruited according to accessibility, during the various community activities, with no differentiation between PLWH and people of unknown HIV status residing in that community. Findings indicate that the HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention, as planned and implemented, was successful in initiating the onset of changes in a community through the PLWH and PLC, as community mobilisers were active in the community “hub” network to mobilise their own communities towards HIV stigma reduction, sharing their knowledge and mobilising and empowering their own community. Changes were observed on an individual and social level. Recommendations focus on using and strengthening the present community intervention, adjusting some of the scales used in this study and ensuring stronger collaboration between health and social disciplines to address the various manifestations and to change the contexts of HIV stigma. It is furthermore recommended that future HIV stigma-reduction interventions give special attention to addressing aspects of psychosocial well-being. / PhD (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Over the years, growing concerns were raised about the serious effect that HIV stigma has on the global HIV and AIDS-prevention response, with appeals to regard HIV stigma reduction as one of the most important factors that need to be addressed in any HIV-prevention strategy. Studies have found scant evidence of comprehensive community-based approaches to reduce stigma, as few of the existing strategies address the community, but maintain the focus mainly on behaviour change in the individual. This research study is a follow-up study to two other studies. The first study focused on people living with HIV (PLWH) and nurses in health care settings; and the second was a trans-disciplinary, comprehensive, community-based HIV stigma reduction and wellness-enhancement intervention that involved PLWH and people living close to them (PLC). This HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention was specifically planned as an intervention for the community, targeting PLWH and their community members who live in the same ward in the Tlokwe municipality in the North West Province of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to explore, describe and determine whether an HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention in a South African urban area will make a difference in the HIV stigma experiences of PLWH, as well as related stigmatisation by their community; to describe the implementation of this intervention; and to determine the change in depression and psychosocial well-being of PLWH and their community before and after the intervention. The HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention defines a “hub” as a two-person mobiliser team consisting of a PLWH and a non-infected PLC who are inhabitants of the same community and functions from a “hub” in the community. The strategy is based upon the involvement of PLWH and PLC, as community mobilisers, who share their knowledge and who mobilise and empower their own community to reduce HIV stigma. A convergent parallel mixed-method design with a single case pre-test post-test design for the quantitative data, and an interpretive description approach for the qualitative data were utilised. The sample for this study included PLWH recruited through accessibility sampling as well as community members living in the same municipal ward through random voluntary sampling. Valid measures were used to determine and describe whether the HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention will affect change in the HIV stigma experiences of PLWH, the perceived stigmatisation by their community, as well as the depression and psychosocial well-being of both PLWH and the community. A sub-sample of both groups was selected by means of purposive voluntary sampling for the qualitative part of the study, consisting of in-depth interviews about stigma experiences of PLWH, as well as stigmatisation of the community toward PLWH. For the description of the HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention, a holistic single-case study design was used. Participants were recruited according to accessibility, during the various community activities, with no differentiation between PLWH and people of unknown HIV status residing in that community. Findings indicate that the HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention, as planned and implemented, was successful in initiating the onset of changes in a community through the PLWH and PLC, as community mobilisers were active in the community “hub” network to mobilise their own communities towards HIV stigma reduction, sharing their knowledge and mobilising and empowering their own community. Changes were observed on an individual and social level. Recommendations focus on using and strengthening the present community intervention, adjusting some of the scales used in this study and ensuring stronger collaboration between health and social disciplines to address the various manifestations and to change the contexts of HIV stigma. It is furthermore recommended that future HIV stigma-reduction interventions give special attention to addressing aspects of psychosocial well-being. / PhD (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

BACKGROUND: Despite advances at every stage of the HIV care continuum, HIV-related stigma still presents a significant barrier to accessing care globally for people living with HIV (PLWH). The effect of stigma and discrimination on treatment adherence and health outcomes is especially worsened for younger PLWH belonging to key vulnerable populations and identifying within intersectional gender and/or sexual minorities. In Latin America young PLWH, especially those identifying as MSM (men who have sex with men) and TGW (transgender women) are at a disproportionately higher risk of facing HIV-related stigma, and subsequent under-utilization of HIV prevention and treatment services. Social media-based HIV stigma-reduction campaigns present a growing area of research in designing interventions to disseminate health resources, normalize prevention and treatment, and reduce the harmful HIV-related stigmas PLWH may face. This project’s aims are two-fold: to understand the stigmatizing beliefs and experiences young PLWH living in Lima, Peru encounter, and to identify the key messages and features they believe would be most effective for dissemination in a future HIV stigma-reduction social media campaign. METHODS: This study was conducted as a qualitative focus group interview study in Lima, Peru from November 2022 to February 2023. Interview questions covered their experiences of stigma and suggested messages for social media, and were structured using an interview guide. Participants were recruited from 4 key groups of PLWH: adolescents/young adults with perinatally-acquired infection, adolescents/young adults with recently-acquired infection, young MSM, and young TGW. Creation of a pilot codebook and subsequent qualitative analysis of focus group data were conducted using thematic content analysis and conceptual frameworks determined to be in line with objectives. RESULTS: 7 focus group interviews were conducted with 48 participants aged 17 to 29 years old. Participants represented a diverse range of gender and sexual identities. Participants across all groups faced a range of HIV-related discriminatory/stigmatizing behaviors and stereotypes affecting multiple aspects of everyday life, from relationships with close family and friends to schooling and employment prospects and accessing medical care. Suggestions for future messaging content and design included creating content addressing health-related misconceptions for PLWH navigating their diagnosis and the general public, portraying PLWH with more positivity and normalcy, recruiting influencers from backgrounds not typically targeted in HIV messaging to disseminate content to larger audiences, and creating both short- and long-form content formats to share on social media platforms for engaging users of different ages/demographics. CONCLUSION: Based on the range of different encountered stigmas and messaging suggestions shared by young PLWH, future HIV stigma-reduction social media campaigns should feature accurate health and social messages from a diversity of societal leaders and PLWH, span a breadth of content formats, and do so with tones of optimism to educate the general public and shift attitudes to empower young PLWH as they move forward in their lives. / 2026-03-08T00:00:00Z

Hearing impairment is a chronic health condition that affects increasingly younger age groups. Prevalence rates in the working population are estimated to be between four and nine percent when defined by audiometric loss, and between 30 – 40% when using self-report of hearing problems. Hearing impairment can limit and threaten the social functioning of the affected person. It interferes with oral communication, causing activity limitations and participation restrictions. Additionally, a stigma is attached to hearing loss that can lead to feelings of embarrassment, guilt, anxiety and social exclusion. The stigma also poses a threat to the identity of the hearing impaired person who, in return, manages this threat by concealing or disclosing their hearing impairment depending on the social implications. As a consequence, help–seeking is delayed by a considerable amount of time. Although proven to be an effective intervention, amplification is often rejected by working adults. Another available effective intervention is participating in audiologic rehabilitation (AR) programmes. These programmes focus on stigma reduction and communication strategies. Most existing programmes target an elderly population that had been fitted with hearing aids. No programme for working adults who do not wear amplification is published in the literature. The new AR programme “See it! Hear it! Say it!” had been designed for adults who do not wear amplification and previously trialled in the USA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short and mid-term outcomes of a version adapted for the New Zealand context, specifically changes in health related quality of life (HRQoL) and cognitive anxiety. Thirteen participants in two groups participated in the study. The design was a quasi–randomised pre-test/post-test/follow-up test with waitlist design. Outcomes were measured with the International Outcome Inventory – Alternative Interventions (IOI-AI), the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA), the Cognitive Anxiety Scale (CAS) and a non-standardised online questionnaire. Results demonstrated statistically significant differences between pre-group and follow-up assessment outcomes. Effect sizes ranged between 0.606 and 2.114. Participants reported implementing communication strategies in a number of adverse listening environments. These findings provide evidence that the New Zealand specific version of “See it! Hear it! Say it!” is effective in improving HRQoL and reducing cognitive anxiety.

<p>The appeal of Allport&rsquo / s Contact Hypothesis lies in the simplicity of its core principle, which holds that contact between different groups may serve to reduce prejudices. Contact needs to meet key conditions, i.e. equal power, cooperation towards a common goal and institutional support. Support has been found for the Contact Hypothesis in its original form and for those contacts which fail to meet the specified conditions. This study sought to explore whether contact, in forms different to those traditionally defined by the Contact Hypothesis, i.e. exposure, had any bearing on group prejudice. The prejudice and its underlying negative attitudes of interest, were those informed by HIV and AIDS stigma. HIV and AIDS stigma, defined as a discrediting quality and informed by social processes, is of particular concern as it impedes prevention, treatment and care efforts in South Africa&rsquo / s response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic. The health care context is often an area where Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) are confronted with HIV and AIDS stigma. The research aims were thus to explore the extent of HIV and AIDS stigma amongst health care workers, the forms of exposure to PLHIV and the relationship between exposure and HIV and AIDS stigma. A quantitative, survey design was employed to accomplish these aims and to test formulated hypotheses, which were based on current literature and the core principle of the Contact Hypothesis. The sample consisted of 202 health care workers in the Cape Town metropole. Data analyses revealed the existence of low to moderate levels of HIV and AIDS stigma and also found that most of the sample had exposure to PLHIV in either its individual forms or overall form. Bivariate correlations revealed negative relationships between forms of exposure, overall exposure and stigma.</p>

<p>The appeal of Allport&rsquo / s Contact Hypothesis lies in the simplicity of its core principle, which holds that contact between different groups may serve to reduce prejudices. Contact needs to meet key conditions, i.e. equal power, cooperation towards a common goal and institutional support. Support has been found for the Contact Hypothesis in its original form and for those contacts which fail to meet the specified conditions. This study sought to explore whether contact, in forms different to those traditionally defined by the Contact Hypothesis, i.e. exposure, had any bearing on group prejudice. The prejudice and its underlying negative attitudes of interest, were those informed by HIV and AIDS stigma. HIV and AIDS stigma, defined as a discrediting quality and informed by social processes, is of particular concern as it impedes prevention, treatment and care efforts in South Africa&rsquo / s response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic. The health care context is often an area where Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) are confronted with HIV and AIDS stigma. The research aims were thus to explore the extent of HIV and AIDS stigma amongst health care workers, the forms of exposure to PLHIV and the relationship between exposure and HIV and AIDS stigma. A quantitative, survey design was employed to accomplish these aims and to test formulated hypotheses, which were based on current literature and the core principle of the Contact Hypothesis. The sample consisted of 202 health care workers in the Cape Town metropole. Data analyses revealed the existence of low to moderate levels of HIV and AIDS stigma and also found that most of the sample had exposure to PLHIV in either its individual forms or overall form. Bivariate correlations revealed negative relationships between forms of exposure, overall exposure and stigma.</p>

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / The appeal of Allport's Contact Hypothesis lies in the simplicity of its core principle, which holds that contact between different groups may serve to reduce prejudices. Contact needs to meet key conditions, i.e. equal power, cooperation towards a common goal and institutional support. Support has been found for the Contact Hypothesis in its original form and for those contacts which fail to meet the specified conditions. This study sought to explore whether contact, in forms different to those traditionally defined by the Contact Hypothesis, i.e. exposure, had any bearing on group prejudice. The prejudice and its underlying negative attitudes of interest, were those informed by HIV and AIDS stigma. HIV and AIDS stigma, defined as a discrediting quality and informed by social processes, is of particular concern as it impedes prevention, treatment and care efforts in South Africa's response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic. The health care context is often an area where Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) are confronted with HIV and AIDS stigma. The research aims were thus to explore the extent of HIV and AIDS stigma amongst health care workers, the forms of exposure to PLHIV and the relationship between exposure and HIV and AIDS stigma. A quantitative, survey design was employed to accomplish these aims and to test formulated hypotheses, which were based on current literature and the core principle of the Contact Hypothesis. The sample consisted of 202 health care workers in the Cape Town metropole. Data analyses revealed the existence of low to moderate levels of HIV and AIDS stigma and also found that most of the sample had exposure to PLHIV in either its individual forms or overall form. Bivariate correlations revealed negative relationships between forms of exposure, overall exposure and stigma. / South Africa

Current research studies on the success of peer-based outreach programs for adolescent suicide prevention are inconclusive (Mann et al. 2005; Gould et al. 2003). Fewer still have measured the feelings and experiences of the peers who are responsible for reaching out to suicidal friends within such a program. This exploratory research study examines the experiences and perspectives of past participants of an adolescent peer-based outreach program, Hope4Utah. Findings from this mixed-method study of Hope4Utah support that peer-outreach suicide prevention programs have far-reaching benefits, on both the participants and their surrounding communities, which extend into adulthood. Themes that emerged from analysis of interviews are consistent with literature on school communities, adolescent alienation, stigma reduction, compassion fatigue, and formation of social roles and mental health beliefs through the social interactionist framework. Finally, this paper explores promising avenues for future research.

The phenomenon of stigmatisation in the transmission of HIV/AIDS was highlighted in this study, and considered from a social constructionist perspective. The lived experiences of 20 participants were explored in the context of a stigma reduction programme. Perceived meanings attached to stigma, and its influence on participant behaviour was revealed through narratives. The influence of the programme on participant meaning making and perceptions was also revealed, and found that the meaning of stigma remained unchanged, and therefore stigma was not reduced. Not discounting the therapeutic platform of the programme in enabling co-construction of new perspectives which enabled coping mechanisms for participants in dealing with their circumstances. It is recommended that studies such as this be used to assist future stigma reduction programmes to identify their roles in meaning making regarding stigma, with the premise in mind that if meaning shifts, experiences will shift. / Psychology / M.A (Psychology)