“An unspoken world of unspoken things”: a study identifying and exploring core beliefs underlying self-stigma among people living with HIV and AIDS in Ireland

Abstract

This study helps fill identified gaps in knowledge about self-stigma as experienced by PLHIV. By understanding the core beliefs driving self-stigma, it will be possible to create targeted interventions to challenge and overcome such beliefs, supporting PLHIV to achieve improved wellbeing and lead productive lives free of self-limitation and self-judgement.

Associação entre percepção de doença e ansiedade, depressão e autoeficácia em pessoas com HIV/Aids

“…Em função disso, muitas pessoas soropositivas adotam condutas de isolamento devido ao medo de rejeição, enfrentando difi culdades em iniciar novos relacionamentos afetivos, sociais e sexuais, bem como de revelar o diagnóstico. Em consequência, muitos sofrem redução da autoestima, sentimentos de falta de pertencimento e perda da identidade psicológica e social, o que pode desencadear sofrimento psíquico e transtorno mental, como a depressão (Ferris et al, 2015;Herrmann et al, 2013;Ministério da Saúde, 2012). Assim, acredita-se que o diagnóstico e o tratamento de sintomas depressivos em pessoas infectadas pelo HIV pode levar a uma maior adesão ao tratamento, melhora da qualidade de vida e adaptação psicossocial (Christo & Paula, 2008;Ministério da Saúde, 2012).…”

‘We are the change’ - An innovative community-based response to address self-stigma: A pilot study focusing on people living with HIV in Zimbabwe

“…Our findings and recommendations from a formative qualitative study identifying core beliefs underlying self-stigma among PLHIV in Ireland [12] informed the design of an operations research intervention pilot study that used a 12-week programme using techniques from IBSR: The Work of Byron Katie. Based on the research findings, a curriculum was designed to support participants to question and work through self-stigmatising beliefs (see Fig 1, reproduced from [12]). Technical support and curriculum development was carried out by International Certified Facilitators of the Work of Byron Katie, coordinated by The Work for Change organisation (http://www.theworkforchange.org).…”

“…However, much less is understood about self-stigma , or internalised stigma–influenced by “the fundamental, inflexible, absolute and generalised beliefs that people hold about themselves, others, the world and/ or the future” [8]–that is the stigma imposed upon the self by the self [9–11]. Self-stigma entails negative self-judgements, which at times may result in feelings of shame, worthlessness and self-blame [10,12,13]. The three major mechanisms of stigma at the individual level–enacted stigma, anticipated stigma, and internalised stigma–are highly complex, interrelated phenomena [14–16], the context of which is that of marginalisation where stigma operates as a multidimensional process, with that marginalisation as both a contributor and outcome [17].…”

“…Stigma does not arise within an individual in isolation. Rather, stigma becomes internalised through exposure to the social, structural, and cultural contexts that feature enacted, anticipated, and perceived stigma [12,17]. Individuals exposed to these contexts naturally absorb the harmful social and community attitudes towards a stigmatised condition [17] and may experience self-stigma without necessarily having been on the receiving end of enacted stigma [6].…”

Efeitos de intervenção cognitivo-comportamental sobe a percepção de doença de pessoas que vivem com HIV/AIDS

“…Entende-se que a pouca preocupação, a irresponsabilidade, o uso excessivo de bebidas alcoólicas (que pode levar a impulsividade e sensação de invulnerabilidade), a imaturidade, o excesso de confiança no parceiro estão associadas à ausência de comportamentos sexuais preventivos, justificando a vulnerabilidade à infecção pelo HIV (Garcia & Souza, 2010;Galato & Correia, 2011;Ministério da Saúde, 2006 (Brito & Seidl, 2015;Seidl & Faustino, 2014;Weiss et al, 2011). (Campos & Thomason, 2007;Christo & Paula, 2008;Ferris et al, 2015;Herrmann et al, 2013;Ministério da Saúde, 2012;Souza, 2008), podendo ser manejados por meio da TCC como constatado nessa pesquisa e em outras investigações (Chibanda, Cowan, Healy, Abas, & Lund, 2015;Brito & Seidl, 2015;Hemmati Sabet et al, 2013;Himelhoch et al, 2013;Kennard et al, 2014;Simoni et al, 2013). (Berger et al, 2008;Brito & Seidl, 2015;Faustino & Seidl, 2010;Jones et al, 2010;Kraaj et al, 2009;Papas et al, 2011;Safren et al, 2009;Weiss et al, 2011).…”