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Published in:

01-09-2017 | Original Paper

Identifying Strategies to Cope with HIV-Related Stigma in a Group of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in the Dominican Republic: A Qualitative Study

Authors: Christine Tagliaferri Rael, Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Rachel Norton, Eryka Thorley, Rebecca Giguere, Alan Sheinfil, Javier López Rios

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 9/2017

Abstract

Internalized HIV-related stigma negatively impacts the mental and physical health of women living with HIV/AIDS (WLWHA). Yet, some women can successfully confront stigma. The present work uses qualitative methods to investigate the successful stigma coping strategies displayed by 19 WLWHA who reported the least internalized stigma possible on the Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale out of a larger pool of 233 WLWHA in San Felipe de Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Such strategies included, HIV disclosure control; preemptive disclosure of HIV-status; educating oneself/others about HIV; viewing HIV as a manageable condition; and looking to family, friends and partners for support. Our findings add to current knowledge about how WLWHA successfully manage internalized stigma, particularly in the context of the Dominican Republic. Clinicians should work closely with WLWHA to counsel them about the stigma coping strategies that best fit their life context.

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Title: Identifying Strategies to Cope with HIV-Related Stigma in a Group of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in the Dominican Republic: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Christine Tagliaferri Rael
Alex Carballo-Diéguez
Rachel Norton
Eryka Thorley
Rebecca Giguere
Alan Sheinfil
Javier López Rios
Publication date: 01-09-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: AIDS and Behavior / Issue 9/2017
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1654-9

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