The Paradox of Knowledge: How HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Empathy Shape Stigma toward PLWHA in Indonesia’s Sociocultural Context

HIV/AIDS knowledge and empathy serve as key cognitive and emotional antecedents of stigma toward PLWHA. However, the relationship between HIV/AIDS knowledge and stigma varies across different social contexts. This study examines the roles of HIV/AIDS knowledge and empathy in shaping stigma toward PLWHA within the Indonesian sociocultural context. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 410 undergraduate students from a university in Surabaya, Indonesia. Data were collected using the Stigmatizing Attitude Toward People Living With HIV/AIDS (SAT-PLWHA) Scale, the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18), and the Toronto Empathy Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test the hypotheses. The findings indicate that both HIV/AIDS knowledge and empathy significantly influence stigma toward PLWHA [ F (2,407) = 37.91; p < .001]. Specifically, higher HIV/AIDS knowledge was positively associated with increased stigma ( β = .22, p < .001), whereas higher empathy was negatively associated with stigma ( β = -0.24, p < .001). These findings highlight the impact of HIV/AIDS knowledge and empathy on stigma toward PLWHA within Indonesia’s sociocultural context. Religion influences the relationship between knowledge and stigma through psychological mechanisms such as cognitive dissonance, belief perseverance, and fear/anxiety. This study offers insights for researchers and practitioners seeking to develop effective interventions aimed at reducing stigma, particularly in culturally sensitive contexts such as Indonesia, while engaging religious leaders in reinterpreting religious beliefs to foster understanding, empathy, and a more inclusive perspective toward PLWHA.