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A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to understand how some people living with stigmatized health conditions develop positive deviance to overcome stigma. We examined interviews from 13 identified positive deviants living with four different stigmatized health conditions (HIV, leprosy, schizophrenia, and diabetes) in Indonesia. Positive deviance develops in the form of psychological empowerment through improvement of self-belief and perception (intrapersonal component), development of understanding and skill to exert control in life (interactional component), and self-discovery of successful behaviors and strategies to avert stigma (behavioral component). Positive deviants, after being empowered, start empowering others affected by sharing their knowledge and fostering social awareness and acceptance. The findings revealed the presence of problem-solving ability and agency within the community of stigmatized individuals in Indonesia and warrant researchers to partner with the community to expedite the diffusion of transferable positive deviant strategies within and outside the communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health-related stigma causes a negative impact on the lives of affected people and undermines the effectiveness of public health programs. This study aimed to explore experiences and consequences of stigma among people affected by four health conditions relevant in Indonesia-- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), leprosy, schizophrenia and diabetes. In this qualitative study 40 people affected by the four health conditions in Jakarta and West Java, Indonesia--, were interviewed between March and June 2018. Data were analyzed thematically by following an integrative inductive-deductive approach. The experiences and consequences of people with stigma were similar, but such experience were more severe among people affected by HIV, leprosy, and schizophrenia. Those with diabetes either experienced no or less severe stigma. The participants revealed that they experienced enacted stigma in healthcare, employment, and social interactions in the structural and interpersonal levels. They also experience the stigma in the form of internalized and anticipated stigma at an individual level. Incidences of human rights violations were evident. Social, behavioral, psychological, and medical consequences were also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]