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AIDS and Behavior
Published in: AIDS and Behavior 4/2012

01-05-2012 | Original Paper

The Development and Psychometric Properties of the HIV and Abuse Related Shame Inventory (HARSI)

Authors: Sharon A. S. Neufeld, Kathleen J. Sikkema, Rachel S. Lee, Arlene Kochman, Nathan B. Hansen

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 4/2012

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Abstract

Shame has been shown to predict sexual HIV transmission risk behavior, medication non-adherence, symptomatic HIV or AIDS, and symptoms of depression and PTSD. However, there remains a dearth of tools to measure the specific constructs of HIV-related and sexual abuse-related shame. To ameliorate this gap, we present a 31-item measure that assesses HIV and sexual abuse-related shame, and the impact of shame on HIV-related health behaviors. A diverse sample of 271 HIV-positive men and women who were sexually abused as children completed the HIV and Abuse Related Shame Inventory (HARSI) among other measures. An exploratory factor analysis supported the retention of three-factors, explaining 56.7% of the sample variance. These internally consistent factors showed good test–retest reliability, and sound convergent and divergent validity using eight well-established HIV specific and general psychosocial criterion measures. Unlike stigma or discrimination, shame is potentially alterable through individually-focused interventions, making the measurement of shame clinically meaningful.
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Metadata
Title
The Development and Psychometric Properties of the HIV and Abuse Related Shame Inventory (HARSI)
Authors
Sharon A. S. Neufeld
Kathleen J. Sikkema
Rachel S. Lee
Arlene Kochman
Nathan B. Hansen
Publication date
01-05-2012
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
AIDS and Behavior / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0086-9

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