HIV Stigma and Identity in Chronic Illness Contexts
Summary
The intricate relationship between HIV stigma and personal identity unfolds against the backdrop of chronic illness management, social structures and evolving biomedical advances. As HIV transforms into a manageable long-term condition, individuals navigate persistent prejudice that shapes self-perception, disclosure choices and engagement with care. Stigma manifests at multiple levels: enacted stigma through discrimination, anticipated stigma in relation to potential rejection, and internalised stigma when negative beliefs are adopted by those living with HIV. These processes intersect with cultural norms, gender and socioeconomic status, influencing trajectories of adaptation or isolation. Identity work often involves reconstructing a sense of self in response to diagnosis, coupling resilience strategies with community or professional support. Over time, individuals may repurpose stigma into sources of social value, for example by advocacy or peer support, yet many contend with lingering fears of rejection, health-management burdens and the tension between private and public identities. Global research underscores practical applications for stigma reduction—ranging from tailored counselling to structural interventions—that foster acceptance, promote adherence and enable fuller participation in society.
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HIV Stigma and Identity in Chronic Illness Contexts publication trend
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Technical terms
Stigma: A social process that labels, devalues or discriminates against individuals based on a characteristic deemed undesirable by society.
Internalised stigma: The adoption of negative societal attitudes by an individual, leading to feelings of shame or self-blame.
Disclosure: The act of revealing one’s HIV serostatus to others, often influenced by anticipated reactions and perceived support.
Biographical disruption: A concept describing the upheaval of personal identity and life narrative following a chronic illness diagnosis.
References
- The role of stigma in the acceptance and disclosure of HIV among recently diagnosed men who have sex with men in Australia: A qualitative study. PLOS ONE (2019).
- From activism to secrecy: Contemporary experiences of living with HIV in London in people diagnosed from 1986 to 2014. Health Expectations (2018).
- Stigma, identity and resistance among people living with HIV in South Africa. SAHARA-J Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS (2009).
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