HIV/AIDS and care provider attributions: who's to blame?

The discovery of HIV/AIDS prompted a profusion of research focusing on the disease and its causes. Though the bulk of this research emphasizes behavioural risk factors, treatment and disease progression, researcher efforts are beginning to examine the public's attitude toward individuals who are HIV-positive or have developed AIDS. Utilizing Weiner's Attribution Theory, the current study examines the beliefs of social service providers who work directly with individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. Forty-six (28 female and 18 male) HIV/AIDS social service providers from three community-based organizations were asked to read a hypothetical scenario depicting an individual at-risk for HIV/AIDS because of multiple high-risk behaviours. The gender of the target was manipulated and at the conclusion of the scenario participants completed a questionnaire designed to assess attributions. Results of the study show that social service providers who perceive individuals as more responsible for their illness report increased anger, attribute more blame and express less willingness to help those at-risk for HIV/AIDS. This research suggests that despite growing numbers of media campaigns and national distribution of information regarding the disease and its transmission, in general, people continue to stigmatize and place blame on those at-risk.