Influence of gender, self-consciousness and stigmatisation on perceived acceptance among people living with HIV in Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of perceived acceptance of people living with HIV in Nigeria. The results reveal that gender and public self-consciousness jointly and significantly influenced an individual's perception of acceptance. Also, males with a high level of private self-consciousness scored higher on a scale measuring perceived acceptance than females with a high level of private self-consciousness. In addition, private selfconsciousness and perceived stigmatisation jointly and significantly influenced an individual's perception of acceptance. The findings emphasise that the society is far from having an accepting attitude towards individuals living with HIV.

Keywords: Africa, discrimination, perceptions, psychology, sex differentials, well-being

African Journal of AIDS Research 2006, 6(1): 87–90