Document 2091
 DOCN  M94A2091
 TI    HIV positivity: initial reactions of HIV-positive women.
 DT    9412
 AU    Morris A; Thompson C; Salvato P; Weil J; Hasheeve D; Couvaras S; Houston
       Immuno. Institute, TX.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):383 (abstract no. PD0141). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370484
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To elucidate initial thoughts and feelings experienced by
       women when informed of their HIV-seropositivity. METHODS: A
       phenomenological methodology was utilized. The sample included 29 women.
       27 heterosexual and 2 bisexual, ranging in age from 22 to 59. Subjects
       were ask to respond to the open-ended question. When you were told that
       you were HIV positive, what were your initial thoughts or feelings?
       Analysis included the clustering of responses to reveal major
       psychological themes. RESULTS: The major psychological themes identified
       were fear, shame/guilt, isolation, hopelessness, and sadness/depression.
       Fear and shame/guilt were the most prevalent themes. Examples of
       responses illustrative of each theme are as follows: Fear--When would I
       get sick and die; Shame/Guilt--I felt as though I was being punished for
       my past behaviors; Isolation--I remember feeling very different, as if
       the world around me completely changes; Hopelessness--Killing myself
       because I didn't want to die a slow death; Anger--I felt betrayed ... I
       was not promiscuous; and, Sadness/Depression--I might not be able to see
       my child grow up. CONCLUSIONS: Being told one is HIV-positive is an
       emotionally devastating experience. The primary psychological task of
       coping with a life-threatening diagnosis such as HIV is adaptation to
       death and dying. By understanding psychological themes prevalent in
       HIV-positive women, HCW's can facilitate the process of grieving which
       is necessary for adaptation.
 DE    *Adaptation, Psychological  Adult  Attitude to Death  AIDS
       Serodiagnosis/*PSYCHOLOGY  Emotions  Female  Human  HIV
       Seropositivity/*PSYCHOLOGY  Middle Age  *Sick Role  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).