Grief work of HIV positive persons and their survivors

Grief and bereavement following the death of a loved one present clients with significant challenges to the physical, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being. The grieving process for the person with HIV infection may be compounded by shame, stigma, and lack of social support. For communities with the highest prevalence of HIV infection, AIDS-related losses have resulted in mounting, and often overlapping, bereavements. Addressing the impact of these bereavements on the physical and emotional health of clients and their survivors is imperative to designing appropriate interventions to alleviate the potential adverse health outcomes associated with epidemic loss. Facilitating the grief work of HIV positive persons and their loved ones serves to assuage unhealthy sequelae, promote effective coping skills, and provide opportunities for personal growth.