Genital herpes stigma

Toward the measurement and validation of a highly prevalent yet hidden public health problem

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15744138
AutoresKatie Wang (0000-0003-3727-4147, Yale University, autor de correspondencia), Abigail Merin, H Jonathon Rendina (0000-0002-0148-2852), John E Pachankis (0000-0002-2015-9225)
Año2016
Volumen3
Número1
Páginas27-34
Fecha de publicación2016-11-10
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaStigma and Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2376-6964 • E-ISSN: 2376-6972
EditorialAmerican Psychological Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1037/sah0000067
PMID29629409
OpenAlexW2551752299
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas19

Despite its highly prevalent and stigmatizing nature, genital herpes has received little attention from stigma researchers relative to other sexually transmitted infections. This limitation is of great relevance to researchers and practitioners in both clinical and healthcare settings, given that stigma can cause psychological distress and hinder disclosure to sexual partners, hence contributing to the spread of genital herpes. The present research developed and examined the psychometric properties of a quantitative measure of genital herpes stigma. Two hundred individuals diagnosed with genital herpes recruited through online genital herpes support groups completed a survey containing 37 items adapted from the HIV Stigma Scale, questions about demographic and herpes-related characteristics, and measures of relevant psychosocial variables. A confirmatory factor analysis yielded an 18-item scale with four factors: personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, negative self-image, and concern with public attitudes. All subscales demonstrated good internal consistency, with Cronbach alphas ranging from 0.74 to 0.87. Construct validity was supported by correlations with relevant psychosocial variables, including negative affect, rumination, and perceived social support. As a psychometrically sound assessment tool, the Genital Herpes Stigma Scale can be used in both clinical and research settings to facilitate future efforts to alleviate the negative psychological consequences of this incurable viral infection

Confirmatory factor analysis · Cronbach's alpha · Distress · Family medicine · Genital herpes · Herpes Genitalis · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Psychiatry · Psychometrics · Psychosocial · Public health · Scale (ratio · Sex organ · Social stigma · Stigma (botany · Structural equation modeling · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Immunology