Abstract

Youth with HIV (YHIV) face social, physical, and emotional stressors related to their diagnosis. Often, these burdens are reinforced by social stigmatization surrounding HIV. For many YHIV, stigma inhibits the formation of social connections and peer support. But with the growth of online patient communities (OPCs), YHIV are more connected than ever as they provide one another with health information, emotional guidance, and a sense of community that spans geographical barriers. We contend that the social power of OPCs can aid in community support and provide opportunities for story telling and meaning-making that social stigmatization obstructs. While OPCs afford individuals with opportunities to build social networks that provide support and experience outlets for the patient narrative, the digital divide can often prevent against the utilization or research of OPCs for YHIV. This chapter argues for the social benefit of OPCs while also highlighting the gaps in research and implementation that require greater attention.