Project Summary
This study focuses on understanding and measuring resilience to the overlapping stigmas of drug use and HIV prevention among people who inject drugs (PWID) in rural Appalachia, Ohio. PWID often face significant stigma, which can hinder their engagement with HIV prevention services. While resilience—such as coping skills and self-efficacy—may help PWID overcome stigma, no validated tool currently exists to measure resilience to both drug use and HIV prevention stigma. This research aims to fill that gap by developing and validating a PWID Resilience Scale, a novel measure designed specifically to assess resilience in the context of these overlapping stigmas. Through in-depth interviews with PWID and cognitive testing of the scale, the study will explore how resilience is demonstrated and shared within communities of PWID. The findings will help create a validated tool to better understand resilience and inform interventions that reduce stigma and improve HIV prevention outcomes for PWID. This work will be a critical step toward addressing the unique challenges faced by PWID in rural areas and enhancing their ability to engage with HIV prevention programs.