Do Means of Transmission, Risk Knowledge, and Gender Affect AIDS Stigma and Social Interactions

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1992

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The present paper replicated and extended assessments of whether stigma toward, and willingness to interact with, persons with AIDS was affected by knowing how the disease was contracted. The AIDS Risk Knowledge Test, the Social Interaction Scale and the Prejudicial Evaluation Scales were completed by 619 undergraduates. The average respondent answered over 75% of the knowledge questions correctly, and reported low stigma toward, and moderately high willingness to interact socially with, persons with AIDS. Men had more stigma toward, and less willingness to interact with, persons with AIDS than women. There was the most stigma and least willingness to interact with persons who contracted AIDS via IV drug use or sexual contact, rather than blood transfusions. Those with the most knowledge about how AIDS is transmitted were the least prejudiced toward persons with AIDS. Respondents may confer responsibility for contracting AIDS on those persons who chose to participate in high risk behaviors such as IV drug use or sexual activities.

Publication Title

Journal of Social Behavior and Personality

Volume

7

Issue

1

First Page

211

Last Page

216

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