Table 2.
Overview of Emergent Disclosure-Related Sub-themes
| Subtheme | Definition | Illustrative quotes |
|---|---|---|
| Active disclosure | Making deliberate actions or statements that increase an individual's relative openness or visibility regarding one or more identities (e.g., sexual orientation, HIV status, and substance use), such as by “coming out” or explicitly discussing their identity with others | I go into the high schools and I speak with freshmen about my story, and I talk about my whole background, and it heals me every time I talk about it to empower these young folks. |
| Someone that I thought was going to be my friend until I told them that I was HIV-positive, and then that was it. You know, like, say I'll shake their hand. They go, “Oh, no, no. I'm good” | ||
| Passive disclosure | Allowing one or more of an individual's identities to become increasingly known by others without making deliberate actions or statements to convey this identity, such as by “dropping hints” or allowing others to deduce identity status through indirect means | So, when you're around people that—whether they're providers or fellow patients—just knowing that everyone's positive makes it more relaxed in that way. |
| Well, I was smoking in my place. But right now, I'm smoking outdoors… I did hide it. Not here though | ||
| Passive nondisclosure | Demonstrating a conscious decision or preference to not reveal one or more of an individual's identities without specific mention of deliberate actions to conceal that identity or limit the possibility of detection by others | I don't tell anybody that at work. It's not important. I'm quiet about it. |
| I don't even have to say that I'm positive. I don't have to say it because technically I'm non-transmittable | ||
| Concealment | Actively hiding or avoiding detection of one or more of an individual's identities, such as by lying or avoiding situations in which detection by others would be possible or increasingly likely | I haven't had any really good relationships, no girlfriends really since then. I'm afraid to go out on dates because I'm going to have to divulge at some point. |
| You have to be a real sneak kind of person to live that lifestyle. Not as an alcoholic. You can go on the corner and get a drink. But when you're trying to get heroin, I'm telling you that's a whole different animal |