ERIC Number: EJ910949
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Feb
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0016-9013
EISSN: N/A
"I'm Not Going to Die from the AIDS": Resilience in Aging with HIV Disease
Emlet, Charles A.; Tozay, Shakima; Raveis, Victoria H.
Gerontologist, v51 n1 p101-111 Feb 2011
Purpose: Adults aging with HIV/AIDS can experience resilience in spite of the deleterious affects of the disease. This study seeks to examine the lived experiences of older adults with HIV/AIDS as it relates to strengths and resilience in dealing with this devastating disease. Design and methods: Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 adults, 50 years and older, living with HIV/AIDS. The interview transcripts were analyzed using constant comparative methodology following the tenets of adaptive theory. Results: The majority of informants expressed experiences of resilience and strengths as related to living with HIV/AIDS. Seven major themes emerged from the analysis including self-acceptance, optimism, will to live, generativity, self-management, relational living, and independence. Implications: The research identified the importance of strengths and resilience among older adults living with HIV/AIDS. Further research is needed to explore these phenomena with larger samples. Practitioners should identify and implement methods for assessing resilience among older HIV-infected adults.
Descriptors: Adjustment (to Environment), Grounded Theory, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Communicable Diseases, Older Adults, Aging (Individuals), Resilience (Psychology), Interviews, Coping, Psychological Patterns, Interpersonal Relationship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A