"A journey towards acceptance": The process of adapting to life with HIV in Greece. A Qualitative study.
Adaptation
Lived experience
People living with HIV
Qualitative study
Uncertainty
Journal
Applied nursing research : ANR
ISSN: 1532-8201
Titre abrégé: Appl Nurs Res
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 8901557
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
06 2020
06 2020
Historique:
received:
15
04
2019
revised:
26
02
2020
accepted:
03
03
2020
entrez:
27
5
2020
pubmed:
27
5
2020
medline:
16
6
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Aim To identify the experiences related to adaptation for people living with HIV in Greece and to explore different adaptation stages as well as their individual reactions. Receiving an HIV positive diagnosis leads to major changes in an individual's life and it can trigger an array of emotions including fear, despair and loss of control. As the profile of the disease has changed due to its transition into a chronic disease and extended life expectancy, adaptation to life and coping with uncertain events is of paramount importance. Interpretative phenomenological research design was used to guide data collection and analysis. A purposive sampling technique was used. Ethical procedures were taken into account and nine individuals who were diagnosed with HIV took part in the study using semi-structured interviews. Data analysis revealed the different stages of adaptation that the participants experienced after an HIV positive diagnosis. A superordinate theme identified as 'a journey towards acceptance' while five subthemes were formed, namely, 'Communicating the bad news, Conscious loneliness, Getting information, Receiving Support, and Moving on with hope'. An HIV positive diagnosis can affect the very core of the individual as the essence of -self- is targeted and in need of reform. Education, empathy, family and social support can help the individual make small steps towards a greater journey, that of acceptance.
Sections du résumé
Aim To identify the experiences related to adaptation for people living with HIV in Greece and to explore different adaptation stages as well as their individual reactions.
BACKGROUND
Receiving an HIV positive diagnosis leads to major changes in an individual's life and it can trigger an array of emotions including fear, despair and loss of control. As the profile of the disease has changed due to its transition into a chronic disease and extended life expectancy, adaptation to life and coping with uncertain events is of paramount importance.
METHOD
Interpretative phenomenological research design was used to guide data collection and analysis. A purposive sampling technique was used. Ethical procedures were taken into account and nine individuals who were diagnosed with HIV took part in the study using semi-structured interviews.
RESULTS
Data analysis revealed the different stages of adaptation that the participants experienced after an HIV positive diagnosis. A superordinate theme identified as 'a journey towards acceptance' while five subthemes were formed, namely, 'Communicating the bad news, Conscious loneliness, Getting information, Receiving Support, and Moving on with hope'.
CONCLUSION
An HIV positive diagnosis can affect the very core of the individual as the essence of -self- is targeted and in need of reform. Education, empathy, family and social support can help the individual make small steps towards a greater journey, that of acceptance.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32451004
pii: S0897-1897(19)30266-6
doi: 10.1016/j.apnr.2020.151249
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
151249Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of competing interest None.