RELATIONSHIPS AMONG PERCEIVED STIGMA AND ITS MANAGEMENT, THE DECISION TO BE TESTED FOR HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV), AND HIGH RISK BEHAVIORS OF HOMOSEXUAL MALES (AIDS, SAFE SEX).
Contributors: Catholic University of America.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 105
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Sociology, General.; Health Sciences, Public Health.
Description: The purpose of this study was to determine if there were relationships among perceived stigma and its management, HIV testing, and the practice of high risk behaviors by homosexual males. Five research questions were addressed: (a) Is there a relationship between perceived stigma and the decision to be tested for HIV?; (b) Is there a relationship between perceived stigma and the practice of high risk behaviors?; (c) Is there a relationship between those who have been tested for HIV and the practice of high risk behaviors?; (d) Is there a relationship between the method of stigma management and the decision to be tested for HIV?; and, (e) Is there a relationship between the method used for stigma management and the practice of high risk behaviors?.

A descriptive, correlational design was used. The study sample consisted of 74 males whose sexual orientation was homosexual. Three instruments were used to collect the data. A Demographic Data Form collected sociodemographic data and HIV test information. The Stigma Perception and Management Scale (Melby, 1988) was used to measure perceived stigma and the method of stigma management. The Safer Sex Behavior Questionnaire (Adame et al., 1989) was used to measure the frequency of use of sex practices that reduce risk of exposure to and transmission of the AIDS virus. Independent t tests, Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation, and the Point Biserial Correlation Coefficient were used to analyze the test scores for significance.

There were no significant findings among major study variables. Significant findings on the subscales included a significant relationship between tension management (disclosure of stigmatizing attribute) and assertiveness in practicing safer sex behaviors. There was a negative though not significant relationship between perceived stigma and safer sex behaviors, indicating that those who perceived more stigma had a greater number of high risk behaviors. There was also a strong but not significant correlation between subjects who tested positive for HIV and scores on the Safer Sex Behavior Questionnaire, indicating that the men who were HIV positive also had the greatest number of high risk behaviors.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-03, Section: B, page: 1355.

Thesis (D.N.SC.)--THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA, 1991.

School code: 0043.