Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Counseling Psychology

Committee Chair

Suzanne Lease

Committee Member

Sara K. Bridges

Committee Member

Leslie A. Robinson

Committee Member

Chrisann Schiro-Geist

Abstract

Genital herpes is a common, incurable, sexually transmitted infection that can be accompanied by significant social stigma that is associated with psychological distress, diminished quality of life, and diminished sexual well-being. How people incorporate chronic illnesses into their sense of self can also have significant effects on well-being. The illness identity model attempts to capture identity states that are more or less adaptive in adjusting to a chronic illness (Engulfment, Rejection, Acceptance, and Enrichment), but this model has not been studied in relation to stigmatized identities. The current study assessed if the different illness identity states mediated the relationship between perceived genital herpes stigma and two measures of well-being. A parallel mediation analysis was conducted with 204 participants diagnosed with genital herpes (HSV-1 or HSV-2). Measurement instruments included the Genital Herpes Stigma Scale (GHSS), Illness Identity Questionnaire (IIQ), Recurrent Genital Herpes Quality of Life Questionnaire (RGHQoL), and New Sexual Satisfaction Scale, Ego subscale (NSSS-Ego). Results revealed strong mediation by the engulfment illness identity and weaker mediation by the acceptance identity between stigma and measures of well-being. The present findings highlight the importance of identity in mediating the negative effects of genital herpes on well-being.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest.

Notes

Open Access

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