Cognitive dissonance as a reason for low perceived HIV risk among Black women
Existing HIV-related literature affirms that Black women in the US have a low perceived risk of HIV. Yet, Black women consistently experience higher HIV incidence than other women. The ability of HIV risk perception to influence HIV prevention behaviors remains unclear. Lack of knowledge is often de...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sociology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2024.1498383/full |
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| author | Mandy J. Hill |
| author_facet | Mandy J. Hill |
| author_sort | Mandy J. Hill |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Existing HIV-related literature affirms that Black women in the US have a low perceived risk of HIV. Yet, Black women consistently experience higher HIV incidence than other women. The ability of HIV risk perception to influence HIV prevention behaviors remains unclear. Lack of knowledge is often described as the primary driver of a low perceived risk of contracting HIV. What if the primary driver is not lack of knowledge? Instead, it is possible and even likely, that cognitive dissonance became a commonly used coping strategy for survival among Black women whose social standing hinges, in part, on the independent ability to maintain romantic partnerships while doubling in purpose as a primary driver for low perceived risk of HIV. The three key points of this commentary are that underpinnings of low perceived risk of HIV among Black women exist, cognitive dissonance is a likely byproduct of reconciling cultural norms with self-identity, and there is a permanence in disconnect between actual and perceived risk of HIV among Black women. To achieve sexual health equity, researchers must enhance awareness into the nuanced reasons that low perceived risk of HIV persist. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bd3e545978ec488cbf4c7971b968cea9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2297-7775 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sociology |
| spelling | doaj-art-bd3e545978ec488cbf4c7971b968cea92025-01-10T11:13:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sociology2297-77752025-01-01910.3389/fsoc.2024.14983831498383Cognitive dissonance as a reason for low perceived HIV risk among Black womenMandy J. HillExisting HIV-related literature affirms that Black women in the US have a low perceived risk of HIV. Yet, Black women consistently experience higher HIV incidence than other women. The ability of HIV risk perception to influence HIV prevention behaviors remains unclear. Lack of knowledge is often described as the primary driver of a low perceived risk of contracting HIV. What if the primary driver is not lack of knowledge? Instead, it is possible and even likely, that cognitive dissonance became a commonly used coping strategy for survival among Black women whose social standing hinges, in part, on the independent ability to maintain romantic partnerships while doubling in purpose as a primary driver for low perceived risk of HIV. The three key points of this commentary are that underpinnings of low perceived risk of HIV among Black women exist, cognitive dissonance is a likely byproduct of reconciling cultural norms with self-identity, and there is a permanence in disconnect between actual and perceived risk of HIV among Black women. To achieve sexual health equity, researchers must enhance awareness into the nuanced reasons that low perceived risk of HIV persist.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2024.1498383/fullsexual healthcognitive dissonanceBlack womencultureperceived risk and normative influencescoping strategies |
| spellingShingle | Mandy J. Hill Cognitive dissonance as a reason for low perceived HIV risk among Black women Frontiers in Sociology sexual health cognitive dissonance Black women culture perceived risk and normative influences coping strategies |
| title | Cognitive dissonance as a reason for low perceived HIV risk among Black women |
| title_full | Cognitive dissonance as a reason for low perceived HIV risk among Black women |
| title_fullStr | Cognitive dissonance as a reason for low perceived HIV risk among Black women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cognitive dissonance as a reason for low perceived HIV risk among Black women |
| title_short | Cognitive dissonance as a reason for low perceived HIV risk among Black women |
| title_sort | cognitive dissonance as a reason for low perceived hiv risk among black women |
| topic | sexual health cognitive dissonance Black women culture perceived risk and normative influences coping strategies |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2024.1498383/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mandyjhill cognitivedissonanceasareasonforlowperceivedhivriskamongblackwomen |