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HIV-positive mothers and stigma.
1Women's Health, Department of Veterans Affairs, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
Health Care for Women International
|May 21, 1999
Summary
Stigma significantly impacts human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive mothers and their children, leading them to conceal their status. Understanding these challenges is crucial for healthcare providers to offer effective, client-centered care.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Public Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Stigma associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presents unique challenges for mothers and their children.
- Goffman's theory of stigma provides a framework for understanding these experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the pervasive nature of stigma in the lives of HIV-positive mothers and their children.
- To illustrate how HIV-positive mothers navigate and manage stigma.
Main Methods:
- Grounded theory methodology was employed.
- In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 HIV-positive mothers.
Main Results:
- HIV-positive mothers strive to be perceived as normal but experience a loss of normalcy due to HIV stigma.
- Mothers employ strategies such as information management, environmental manipulation, and concealment (lying, pretending) to manage their illness and stigma.
- The concept of "emergent fit" was observed, where existing theory aligned with the collected data.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the profound impact of stigma on HIV-positive mothers is essential for healthcare professionals.
- Client-centered care requires acknowledging and addressing the stigma mitigation strategies used by these women.
- Effective interventions must consider the psychosocial burden of stigma on families affected by HIV.