First Advisor

Lauren Frank

Date of Publication

Spring 8-20-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication

Department

Communication

Language

English

Subjects

HIV-positive persons, Stigmatization, Attribution (Social psychology)

DOI

10.15760/etd.7100

Physical Description

1 online resource (iv, 74 pages)

Abstract

Stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS is considered a major barrier to the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Attribution theorists have examined stigmatizing attitudes as a product of causal emotions; to wit, people face greater judgment and stigmatization when their actions are perceived as controllable and less stigmatization when actions are perceived as out of the realms of personal control. The current study examined attribution of causal emotions for three different circumstances of HIV acquisition, which varied in their perceived controllability. The results showed statistically significant differences in participant evaluations of responsibility, blame, and anger. Statistically significant correlations were found between these causal emotions and stigmatizing attitudes. A weak, but statistically significant inverse correlation was found between knowledge about HIV and stigmatizing attitudes. Recommendations for improved stigma reduction campaign design based on the results of the study are proposed.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/30283

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