title: AIDS-related stigma and social interaction: Puerto Ricans living with HIV/AIDS.
abstract: People living with HIV/AIDS are stigmatized. Although personal and social consequences of this stigmatization have been documented, research regarding its impact on social interactions is scarce. Latinos, and Puerto Ricans in particular, have voiced concern regarding AIDS stigma. The authors investigated the key role of social interaction in the process of stigmatization through in-depth, semistructured interviews in a sample of 30 Puerto Ricans living with HIV/AIDS. Participants reported instances in which AIDS stigma negatively influenced social interactions with family, friends, sexual partners, coworkers, and health professionals. Some of the consequences they described were loss of social support, persecution, isolation, job loss, and problems accessing health services. Findings support the need for interventions to address AIDS stigma and its consequences.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Social Work, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus.
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Varas-Díaz
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Serrano-García
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toro-Alfonso
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012918:Social Alienation / Q000523:psychology*; D012945:Social Values; D013240:Stereotyping; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology