Document Detail


Negotiating cultures: disclosure of HIV-positive status among people from minority ethnic communities in Sydney.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17364722     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Because of the multiple stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, disclosure of HIV-positive serostatus is a considerable social risk for those who disclose. While HIV/AIDS-related stigma affects all HIV-positive people, for people from minority cultures additional cultural factors may play a significant role in self-disclosure. This paper draws on data from semi-structured, in-depth interviews with HIV-positive people from minority cultures in Sydney. Disclosure decisions were influenced by gender, sexual orientation, as well as cultural background. Gay men drew on both collectivist and individualist notions of interdependence and self-reliance in different socio-cultural contexts. This enabled them to accommodate the imperative to maintain harmony with the family and meet their individual needs for support. Heterosexual men who had disclosed voluntarily or involuntarily experienced discrimination and avoidance, and interdependence with family and ethnic community was disrupted. Heterosexual women disclosed to no one outside the health care system and were anxious to avoid any disclosure in the future. For all participants, voluntary and involuntary disclosure caused potential and actual disruption of relationships with their families and ethnic communities. The paper concludes by arguing for an ecological perspective of health in which decisions are not located in rational decision making alone but in the broader context of family and community.
Authors:
Henrike Körner
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Culture, health & sexuality     Volume:  9     ISSN:  1369-1058     ISO Abbreviation:  Cult Health Sex     Publication Date:    2007 Mar-Apr
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-03-16     Completed Date:  2007-04-25     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100883416     Medline TA:  Cult Health Sex     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  137-52     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
National Centre in HIV Social Research, University of New South Wales, Australia. h.korner@unsw.edu.au
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Cultural Characteristics*
Female
HIV Seropositivity / diagnosis*,  psychology*
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Middle Aged
Minority Groups*
New South Wales
Questionnaires
Self Disclosure*
Self Efficacy
Sexual Behavior / psychology
Social Behavior
Stereotyping*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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