Blaming the victim? Results of a vignette study on the stigmatization of HIV-positive individuals

Abstract

Background: People infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) face discrimination in various areas of their lives. A well-known mechanism of stigmatization in this context is based on a lack of knowledge about how HIV is contracted. Objective: The objective of this paper is to investigate perceived self-infliction of an infection and responsible behavior with an infection as a possible cause for the assessment of social distance towards HIV-infected people. Materials and methods: The data basis is an online vignette survey in which 135 people participated. Hypotheses are tested with cluster-corrected multiple linear regressions. Results: When HIV infection is perceived by others to be self-inflicted, social distancing increases. Similar distancing is experienced by HIV-infected individuals who work closely with people in their jobs, e.g., emergency service workers. Homosexual men who are HIV positive are especially stigmatized. Conclusion: Stigmatization due to victim blaming towards HIV-infected people could be shown in this study.