Disentangling reactions to HIV disclosure: Effects of HIV status, sexual orientation, and disclosure recipients' gender. (February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilson, Stacie; Derlega, Valerian J; Woody, Alex; Lewis, Robin; Braitman, Abby L; Barbee, Anita; Winstead, Barbara A
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 19:Number 2(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 285
• Page End: 295
• Publication Date: 2014-02
• Subjects: communication -- HIV -- social support -- stigma -- HIV disclosure; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105312470155
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

This experiment examined how reactions to HIV disclosure by a male stimulus person are influenced by the discloser's HIV status and sexual orientation as well as the disclosure recipient's gender. Participants (152 male and female college students) disclosed more intimately about themselves (revealing highly personal facts and personal feelings) when the man's HIV test result was positive versus negative. The effects of HIV status disclosure on participants' self-disclosure and social support were also moderated by the man's sexual orientation and participants' gender. The results document circumstances when HIV disclosure may lead to positive reactions instead of avoidance and exclusion.