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Abstract
HIV carries a significant social stigma, and people who are HIV positive and people who love and work with them may experience HIV-related stigma. The effects and magnitude of HIV-related stigma and stigmatizing behaviors are diverse. This qualitative study explored felt HIV-related stigma among adults with HIV including individual experiences and insight into the mechanism of HIV-related stigma. Participants shared experiences, and how they managed, coped and survived. Grounded theory analysis revealed that at the core of facing and managing stigma was living with HIV. Components of resilience—risk factors, protective factors and coping skills—were illustrated, and implicate further research.
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The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of her dissertation committee at Portland State University: Sandra Anderson, Vicki Cottrel, and Pauline Jivanjee, Mark Loveless, and Kerth O'Brien. This study was possible due to the generous support of the Northwest Health Foundation.