This research aimed to explore the social representation of a ‘risky identity’ with regard to
HIV. 12 students participated in the research and these participants were required to take
photographs regarding their perceptions of a ‘risky identity’. Each participant also took part
in a semi-structured interview that prompted discussion of the photographs and the different
factors perceived to influence the risk of HIV infection. These interviews were audiorecorded
and transcribed. Discourse analysis was used to analyse the data and how the
participants position the ‘other’ as more at risk of HIV infection than the self. The analysis
also revealed that the most common factor perceived to influence the risk of HIV infection is
substance use. Other factors include: gender, race, age, and socio-economic status.
Interestingly, the participants found it easier to attribute risk to behavioural and
environmental factors, whereas they were more reluctant to associate risk with factors such as
race and gender. In fact, when doing so, many of the participants emphasised the impact of
environmental and behavioural factors as a means to justify their perceptions. The risk of
justifying social representations in such a manner is that prejudiced attitudes remain, just in a
seemingly more socially acceptable form. Subsequently, it is recommended that HIV
prevention programs go beyond education to critical discussions about issues of identity and
the social representations and risk perceptions influencing sexual behaviour.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/9322 |
| Date | 04 April 2011 |
| Creators | Stadler, Sarah Louise |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf |
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