Hong Kong Med J 2009;15(Suppl 8):S34-7
A comparative study of the stigma associated with infectious diseases (SARS, AIDS, TB)
WWS Mak, F Cheung, J Woo, D Lee, P Li, KS Chan, CM Tam
Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
 
 
1. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to elucidate the psychosocial processes operating in SARS, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.
2. The impact of stigma was examined from three perspectives: (1) the general public (public stigma), (2) target individuals afflicted with stigma (self-stigma), and (3) affiliates of the target individuals (affiliate stigma).
3. Three dimensions of stigma were assessed: (1) cognition (stereotypes and beliefs about the target), (2) affect (prejudicial attitudes and feelings toward the target), and (3) behaviour (discrimination toward the target).