Exploring children’s stigmatisation of AIDS-affected children in Zimbabwe through drawings and stories

摘要: AIDS-related stigma is a major contributor to the health and psychosocial well-being of children affected by AIDS. Whilst it often suggested that AIDS-affected may be stigmatised other children, date no research focuses specifically on child-on-child stigma. Using social representations theory, we explore how Zimbabwean represent peers, examining (i) whether or not they stigmatise, (ii) forms takes, (iii) existence non-stigmatising might serve as resources for stigma-reduction interventions. Our interest in identifying both stigmatising informed theory change which accords central role community-level debate dialogue challenging reframing representations. In late 2008, 50 (aged 10–12) were asked “draw picture child whose family has been AIDS any way”, write short stories about their drawings. Thematic analysis drawings revealed frequent references stigmatisation – with refusing play them, generally keeping distance bullying them. However also frequently showed degree empathy respect children’s caring roles love concern AIDS-infected parents. We argue key strategy interventions open up spaces group members (in this case children) can identify diverse contradictory ways view out-group, providing opportunities them exercise agency collectively renegotiating negative Contrary common enable achieve greater emotional expression than written stories, our tended comparatively stereotypical normative. It was most eloquently expressed meanings emotions, an awareness complexity scenarios portrayed.