Mueller CW, Medina C, Dunbar H, Wolf T; National Conference on Women & HIV.
Natl Conf Women HIV Natl Conf Women HIV Innov Care Policy Prev 1997 Los Angel Calif. 1997 May 4-7; 169 (abstract no. P1.58).
University of Hawaii, School of Social Work, Honolulu, HI.
Objectives: To identify and describe the extent and nature of psychological growth in women living with HIV using in-depth interviews. Methods: Thirty four (34) women living in various stages of HIV were interviewed using open-ended semi-structured individual face-to-face interview procedures. Participants were between the ages of 26 and 53. About one third knew of their HIV status for more than five years and about 40% carried an AIDS diagnosis. About one-half of the participants were women of color, most who were Asian-American and/or Pacific Island-American women. Over 80% reported histories of trauma. Interviews covered a variety of topics, including medical history, important earlier life events, stress-coping-social support, perceptions of health providers, and positive outcomes of living with HIV. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed by thematic area. The present paper describes findings related to psychological growth themes derived from the data. Results: Prior to or when asked whether they had discovered any unexpected positive outcomes in the face of living with HIV, 28 of the 34 women (82%) responded affirmatively. Women described significant positive changes in their social, psychological and spiritual lives. As data were analyzed, five major themes emerged. These women described a personal reckoning with death, a newly experienced life affirmation, redefined meaning in their lives, a deep affirmation of themselves as worthwhile individuals, and a restructuring of social relationships. Three factors that facilitated this growth were identified as important; the availability of informed, accepting professional and social support, personal self-determination and perseverance, and the simple passage of time. Conclusions: Too much of our science and clinical practice has overlooked the psychological growth people with HIV bring about in themselves and others. From a research viewpoint, we need to more systematically study and understand this growth process, expand our thinking beyond standard stress-coping-support models, and examine growth both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. From a clinical viewpoint, we need to anticipate, recognize and encourage such growth by assisting clients with death and dying issues, identifying and facilitating life affirmation, validating and facilitating spiritual well being and the creation of meaning, and encouraging self-evaluation, self-affirmation and self-care.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adaptation, Psychological
- Biomedical Research
- Female
- Growth
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Interpersonal Relations
- Interviews as Topic
- Social Support
- Social Work
Other ID:
UI: 102226085
From Meeting Abstracts