Negative emotions and stigma associated with a human papillomavirus test result: A comparison between human papillomavirus-positive men and women

J Health Psychol. 2015 Aug;20(8):1073-82. doi: 10.1177/1359105313507963. Epub 2013 Nov 11.

Abstract

Human papillomavirus has largely been framed as a women's health issue, and the psychosocial impact of human papillomavirus among men remains unclear. In this study, we found that women infected with human papillomavirus (n = 154) experienced a greater degree of negative emotions and stigma than human papillomavirus-infected men (n = 190). Among women, younger age and less education were associated with greater expression of negative emotions and stigma. Conversely, being single was significantly associated with a greater degree of negative emotions and stigma beliefs among men. These findings suggest the need to re-frame messages that both men and women receive regarding human papillomavirus.

Keywords: cancer; health education; men’s health; sexual health; women’s health.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillomaviridae*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / psychology*
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Stigma*
  • Young Adult