THLB0407

Identifying Ethnic/Racial Differences on the HIV Stigma Scale Using Item Response Theory: 

Identifying Ethnic/Racial Differences on the HIV Stigma Scale Using Item Response Theory Deepa Rao, Ph.D., Northwestern University, Chicago, IL Email: deepa-rao@northwestern.edu John B. Pryor, Ph.D., Illinois State University, Normal, IL Bambi W. Gaddist, Dr.P.H., South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council, Columbia, SC Randy Mayer, M.P.H., Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines, IA United States

Background: 

Background HIV Self Stigma is associated with: Depression/Anxiety1 Poor antiretroviral adherence2 No studies comparing HIV Self Stigma across cultures 1Lee, Kochman, Sikkema, 2002 2Rintamaki, Davis, Skripkauskas, Bennett, Wolf, 2006

Aims: 

Aims To explore ethnic/racial differences in HIV Stigma On items of the HIV Stigma Scale On subscales of the HIV Stigma Scale

Sample and Measures: 

Sample and Measures 224 Black & 317 White PLWHA Iowa & South Carolina, USA HIV Stigma Scale1 4 Subscales Personalized Stigma Disclosure Concerns Negative Self Image Concern with Public Attitudes 1Berger, Ferrans, Lashley, 2001

Analyses: 

Analyses Item response theory (IRT) Item level differences Multiple regression analyses Subscale level mean differences

Results: 

Results IRT revealed item level differences White respondents Felt interpersonal rejection Worried about keeping HIV status secret Black respondents Felt morally judged Experienced discrimination Multiple Regression: no mean differences on 4 subscales

Personalized Stigma: 

Personalized Stigma White participants “Telling others I have HIV has been a mistake” Black participants “I feel set apart and isolated from the world” “People act as though its my fault I have HIV”

Disclosure Concerns: 

Disclosure Concerns White participants “No one knows I have HIV” “I work hard to keep secret my HIV” Black participants “I worry people discriminating against me” “I never hide the fact that I have HIV” “People judge me when learning I have HIV”

Negative Self Image: 

Negative Self Image White participants “I work hard to keep my HIV status secret” Black participants “I feel set apart and isolated from the world”

Concern with Public Attitudes: 

Concern with Public Attitudes White participants “Easier to avoid friendships than telling” “PLWHA rejected when others find out” “People look for flaws in your character” Black participants “I feel set apart and isolated from the world” “People discriminating against me” “People act as though its my fault I have HIV”

Conclusions: 

Conclusions Use HIV Stigma Scale with caution Differences in wording/interpretation of items Black PLWHA more attuned to discrimination Experiences of discrimination Racial socialization/identity development

Slide12: 

Deepa Rao, Ph.D. Institute for Healthcare Studies Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University deepa-rao@northwestern.edu