In this qualitative pilot study, distress and strengths associated with aging with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) were identified for 12 participants. Potential sources of distress were fear of death, financial worries, fear of disclosure, stigma, and long-term coping. Strengths were hardiness, renewed spirituality, social support, community service, and openness to aging. Ways of mitigating these barriers and accentuating these strengths can be explored by mental health professionals if extended with a representative larger sample.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
KingM. (1999) Lazarus gets a third wind. Body Positive, 12(5), 37–39.
2.
MackK. A.OryM. G. (2003) AIDS and older Americans at the end of the Twentieth Century. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 33, S63–S75.
3.
McCrakenG. (1988) The long interview. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
4.
MooreL. W.AmburgeyL. B. (2000) Older adults with HIV. AJORN Journal, 71, 873–876.
5.
PalellaF. J.DelaneyK. M.MoormanA. C.LovelessM. O.FuhrerJ.SattenG. A.AschmanD. J., Holmberg, S. D., & HIV Outpatient Study Investigators. (1998) Declining morbidity and mortality among patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection. New England Journal of Medicine, 338, 853–860.
6.
ParkerM. W.FullerG. F.KoenigH. G.BellisJ. M.VaitkusM. A.BarkoW. F.EitzerJ. (2001) Soldier and family wellness across the life span: A developmental model of successful aging, spirituality, and health promotion: Part II. Military Medicine, 166, 561–570.
7.
StraussA.CorbinJ. (1990) Basics of qualitative research. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
8.
VanceD. E.RobinsonF. P. (2004) Reconciling successful aging with HIV: A biopsychosocial overview. Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services, 3(1), 59–78.
