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[Being a mother affected with AIDS: reliving the original sin]
1Departamento de Enfermagem da Universidade Estadual do Ceará. mlduarte@fortalnet.com.br
Revista Da Escola De Enfermagem Da U S P
|May 8, 2001
Summary
Mothers living with HIV/AIDS often perceive their illness as a punishment, linking it to evil and feeling guilty. They navigate motherhood and their diagnosis as an ongoing process, not just a disease.
Area of Science:
- Psychology and Sociology of Health
- Qualitative Health Research
- Social Representations Theory
Context:
- Focuses on the lived experiences of mothers diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
- Explores the intersection of motherhood and chronic illness, specifically HIV/AIDS.
- Examines coping mechanisms and emotional responses within this specific demographic.
Purpose:
- To understand the meaning of living with HIV/AIDS for mothers.
- To identify the emotions and coping strategies employed by mothers with a healthy child.
- To analyze social representations of motherhood and HIV/AIDS.
Summary:
- Findings indicate that 'being a mother' and 'having AIDS' are perceived as continuous processes, extending beyond the diagnosis itself.
- A polarized relationship between 'good' and 'evil' emerged, with HIV/AIDS often associated with the 'evil' aspect.
- Participants expressed feelings of guilt, viewing their diagnosis as a deserved punishment, and linked sexuality to this negative perception.
Impact:
- Highlights the profound psychological burden carried by mothers with HIV/AIDS, including self-perceived guilt and punishment.
- Underscores the need for psychosocial support that addresses social stigma and negative self-perceptions associated with HIV/AIDS.
- Informs healthcare providers and support systems about the complex social and emotional realities faced by these mothers.