Abstract

ROLDAN, Ida. AIDS stigma in the Puerto Rican community: an expression of other stigma phenomenon in Puerto Rican Culture. Interam. j. psychol. [online]. 2007, vol.41, n.1, pp. 41-48. ISSN 0034-9690.

Puerto Ricans have been disproportionately affected by the AIDS epidemic in the United States (CDC, 2000). Although the Puerto Rican community is known to be family-centered, often their infected members have had to face their illness without family and community support. A central assumption in this paper is that a compelling cultural phenomenon exists in the Puerto Rican community when it is faced with HIV/AIDS. It is strongly linked to the culture's deep religious and spiritual roots that seem to take hold within the context of the meaning Puerto Ricans give to HIV/AIDS. These roots have pushed the HIV and AIDS illness into the realm of sin and evil. This culture's inability to condone the shameful and sinful behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS, the fear of casual transmission, and the fear of bochinche (malicious gossip) have driven many infected persons to keep their diagnosis secret in order to avoid the inevitable rejection from family and community.

Keywords : Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Stigma; Culture; Family; Puerto Rico.

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