Lived experiences of racism and intersectional stigma among Black youth living with HIV in the Deep South.

Abstract

The impact of anti-Black racism on child and adolescent health is well documented. When stigma related to race is compounded with HIV-related stigma, Black youth living with HIV (YLWH) may be further disenfranchised and systematically oppressed. To better understand the intersectional role of anti-Black racism and HIV-related stigma, this qualitative study explored the experiences, beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions of Black YLWH who reside in the Deep South, a region particularly affected by racism and the HIV epidemic. Guided by the stigma and HIV disparities model, interview data with Black YLWH were analyzed using an intersectional framework to triangulate the lived experiences of these youth. Findings provide insight into intersectional stigma among Black YLWH. The implications of these findings for future research and inclusive public health programming will be discussed.

The Impact of Intersectional Discrimination and Stigma on HIV Care for African, Caribbean, and Black Women Living With HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic in British Columbia: A Descriptive Study

“…Our study found that social support groups were helpful in improving the experience of intersecting stigmatization. Chenneville et al (2023) described the experience of intersecting stigmatization for youth with HIV in the Deep South of the United States. Consistent with the results of our study and other literature, Chenneville et al (2023) identified the need for increased interventions and resources.…”

“…Racism is the discrimination against an individual on the basis of race. Racism positively correlates with HIV stigma and has detrimental consequences for an individual's well-being ( Chenneville et al, 2023 ; Hall et al, 2021 ; Mbuagbaw et al, 2022 ). The combined impact of HIV stigma and racism is reported by Logie et al (2017a) ; however, it remains largely understudied.…”

“…For example, the reported HIV stigma among WWH was found to be higher in ACB women than in white women ( Logie et al, 2016 ). Racism affects an individual's social support network and experience of internalized HIV stigma ( Chenneville et al, 2023 ; Logie et al, 2016 ). The impacts of racism are multifaceted and increase an individual's vulnerability to housing insecurity, stigma in local communities, and poverty ( Chenneville et al, 2023 ; Hall et al, 2021 ; Logie et al, 2016 ; Nydegger & Hill, 2020 ).…”

“…Racism affects an individual's social support network and experience of internalized HIV stigma ( Chenneville et al, 2023 ; Logie et al, 2016 ). The impacts of racism are multifaceted and increase an individual's vulnerability to housing insecurity, stigma in local communities, and poverty ( Chenneville et al, 2023 ; Hall et al, 2021 ; Logie et al, 2016 ; Nydegger & Hill, 2020 ). Canadian statistics show that people who identify as ACB compose 7.2% of the incarcerated population in Canada yet only 3.5% of the overall population ( Canadian Civil Liberties Association [CCLA], 2021 ).…”

Introduction to the special issue on intersectionality in Stigma and Health research.

“…In the next article, Overstreet et al (2023) use critical thematic analysis to center and amplify the voices of young Black women, who described how sexual stereotypes shaped their health and sexuality across developmental transitions. Likewise, the article by Chenneville et al (2023) reports a phenomenological study of Black youth living with HIV. The youth articulated experiences of stigma and discrimination, including intersectional stigma, as well as a range of responses, coping mechanisms, and resiliency, and identified specific needs or resources.…”