Skip to main content

ETHNOS_APP

Home • Search • Journals • List 0

Genital herpes stigma

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

Bibliographic Data

ID15744138
AuthorsKatie Wang (0000-0003-3727-4147, Yale University, corresponding author), Abigail Merin, H Jonathon Rendina (0000-0002-0148-2852), John E Pachankis (0000-0002-2015-9225)
Year2016
Volume3
Issue1
Pages27-34
Publication date2016-11-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueStigma and Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2376-6964 • E-ISSN: 2376-6972
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1037/sah0000067
PMID29629409
OpenAlexW2551752299
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited19

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

  • Under What Conditions Would You Spread Gynecological Diseases Stigma? Integrating Emotional Valence and Emotional Arousal into the Model of Stigma Communication

    Dan Wu, Hongfa Yi•Health Communication•2026

  • Genital Herpes Disclosure Attitudes Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

    Open Access•Mayar Al Mohajer, Paige Wermuth et al.•Archives of Sexual Behavior•2021

  • Social Stigma Concerns and HIV Medication Adherence

    Lance S Rintamaki, Terry C Davis et al.•AIDS Patient Care and STDs•2006

  • How Does Stigma “Get Under the Skin”?

    Open Access•Mark L Hatzenbuehler, Susan Nolen-Hoeksema et al.•Psychological Science•2009

  • Stigma Scale Revised

    Open Access•Kathryn Wright, Sylvie Naar‐king et al.•Journal of Adolescent Health•2007

  • Stigma Management and Well-Being

    Open Access•Kristin P Beals, Letitia Anne Peplau et al.•Personality and Social Psychology…•2009

  • Psychometric Characteristics of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

    Gregory D Zimet, Suzanne Powell et al.•Journal of Personality Assessment•1990

  • Measuring stigma in people with HIV

    Open Access•Barbara Berger, Barbara E Berger et al.•Research in Nursing & Health•2001

  • Measuring HIV felt stigma

    Julio Jimenez, Julio Cesar Jimenez et al.•AIDS Care•2010

  • Herpes Simplex and Mood

    Jan Dalkvist, Tarja‐Brita Robins Wahlin et al.•Psychosomatic Medicine•1995

  • Assessing HIV/Aids Stigma in South India

    Open Access•Lakshmanan Jeyaseelan, Shuba Kumar et al.•AIDS and Behavior•2012

  • Predictors of the Sexual Well-being of Individuals Diagnosed with Herpes and Human Papillomavirus

    Open Access•Lyndsay R Foster, E Sandra Byers•Archives of Sexual Behavior•2016

  • Living with a concealable stigmatized identity

    Diane M Quinn, Stephenie R Chaudoir•Journal of Personality and Social…•2009

  • HIV and Aids-related stigma and discrimination

    Open Access•Richard Parker, Peter Aggleton•Social Science & Medicine•2003

  • A power primer

    Jacob Cohen•Psychological Bulletin•1992

  • The psychological implications of concealing a stigma

    John E Pachankis•Psychological Bulletin•2007

  • Sexually Transmitted Infections

    Open Access•Danielle C Newton, Danielle Newton et al.•Journal of Health Psychology•2008

  • Associations between individual and relationship characteristics and genital herpes disclosure

    Open Access•Jaime L Myers, Eric R Buhi et al.•Journal of Health Psychology•2016

  • Psychological Adjustment among Women Living with Genital Herpes

    Open Access•Jessica L Barnack-Tavlaris, Jessica L Barnack‐tavlari et al.•Journal of Health Psychology•2011

  • The Psychological Impact of Genital Herpes Stigma

    Open Access•Abigail Merin, John E Pachankis•Journal of Health Psychology•2011

Unique citing works2
Citations per year0,4
Citation span2021 - 2026 (6)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 2
Ethnos_APP • Open Source Project • MIT License • Frontend v2.0.0 • Privacy and Cookies • API Documentation: api.ethnos.app/docs • API Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17049435 • Frontend Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17050053 • cruz.rio.br • Expectantes Misericordiae