Xiuyun Lin|Guoxiang Zhao|Xiaoming Li|Bonita Stanton|Liying Zhang|Yan Hong|Junfeng Zhao|Xiaoyi Fang
Perceived HIV stigma among children in a high HIV-prevalence area in central China: beyond the parental HIV-related illness and death
Beijing Normal University|Henan University|Henan University|Wayne State University|Wayne State University|Wayne State University|Texas A&M Health Science Center|Henan University|Beijing Normal University
abstract objectives 1 examine psychometric properties two parallel measures hivrelated stigma ie perceived public stigma childrens personal stigma people living hivaids plwha among children affected hivaids 2 examine whether expressions stigma measures differ childs sex developmental stage family socioeconomic status ses orphanhood status ie aids orphans vulnerable children comparison children 3 examine association hivrelated stigma childrens psychosocial adjustments among children methods crosssectional data collected 755 aids orphans children lost one parents aids 466 vulnerable children lived hivinfected parents 404 comparison children experience hivrelated illness death families measures included perceived public stigma personal stigma depressive symptoms loneliness selfesteem future expectations hopefulness future perceived control future results stigma scales positively associated psychopathological symptoms eg depression loneliness negatively associated psychosocial wellbeing eg selfesteem positive future expectation hopefulness future perceived control future stigma measures contribute childrens psychosocial problems independent orphanhood status key demographic factors conclusion communitywide stigma reduction psychological support part care efforts children affected aids stigma reduction efforts target stigma plwha also possible stigma entire community eg villages high prevalence hivaids stigma reduction efforts also needs appropriate childrens age gender family ses aids experience family future research explore individual contextual factors social support coping attachment mitigating negative effect stigma among children