'Exemplary Elders' - Stigma, stereotypes and sexually transmitted infections among older African Americans

The risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among older adults in the US has increased in recent years, especially in the southeast. Stigma is a known barrier to STI control, but is rarely addressed in relation to older adults because of assumptions about their lack of sexual activity or their low risk of STI. This study presents the results of a telephone survey on STI stigma among older adults in a southern US state using Bourdieu's concept of habitus and the 'exemplary elder' construct as conceptual frameworks. The sample consisted of 81 black and 109 white residents aged over 50 years. Black elders gave more stigma-related responses than whites, especially if they lived in rural areas. The results indicated that, after controlling for income and education, habitus played a role in different reactions to being infected and seeking treatment for STIs. Habitus was also evident in rural and gender differences between the two groups concerning knowledge, fear of STIs and willingness to seek treatment. The construct of 'exemplary elder' is a viable conceptual frame of reference in helping to explain why older African Americans in the south are more fearful of STIs than older whites.