Psychosocial responses among individuals with human immunodeficiency virus infection

The purpose of this research was to identify and describe psychosocial responses to being infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Ten adults infected with HIV were interviewed and audiotaped as they described their feelings and experiences as HIV-infected people. The interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory methodology. The core category that emerged from the data was Fighting to Survive with HIV Infection. Supporting concepts were Taking Care and Restructuring One's Life. The concept of Taking Care included processes of everyday work and illness work. The processes involved in Restructuring One's Life were living with uncertainty, accepting homosexuality, experiencing changing feelings, protecting confidentiality, dealing with the medical profession, handling multiple losses, and living with a terminal illness.