Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Mar 1.
Published in final edited form as: AIDS Care. 2012 Aug 6;25(3):326–336. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2012.712658

Table 2.

Selected theoretical perspectives of HIV disclosure

Theory Perspectives
Social influence theory (Stenger, 1996; Zea, Reisen, Poppen, Bianchi, & Echeverry, 2007) HIV disclosure is influenced by a number of contextual factors that HIV-positive persons are living with (e.g., social norms, cultural values and beliefs, and experiences of discrimination).
Disease progression theory (Babcock, 1998) HIV-positive persons will disclose their HIV status when HIV progresses to AIDS and it becomes difficult for them to conceal the symptoms.
Consequence theory (Emlet, 2006, 2008; Serovich, 2001) There is a linkage between disclosure decision and analysis of anticipated outcomes. Disclosure occurs when the benefits of doing so (obtaining social and emotional support) outweigh the costs (being stigmatized by others).