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"I'm not going to die from the AIDS": resilience in aging with HIV disease
- Authors:
- EMLET Charles A., TOZAY Shakima, RAVEIS Victoria H.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 51(1), February 2011, pp.101-111.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This paper on the resilience and strengths of 25 men and women (aged 50-72) living with HIV AIDS in the USA advocates the use of resilience theory and the strengths perspective in research and practice with regard to ageing with HIV AIDS. Despite the potential deleterious effects of HIV AIDS, some participants described positive, lived experiences which they directly accredited to the disease. Semi-structured interviews and data analysis revealed seven themes including: self- acceptance and management; optimism and will to live; generativity; relational living; and independence. Overcoming fears of stereotyped attitudes to HIV AIDS had helped participants to be optimistic about living with the disease and increased their will to live. Some hoped to give back to community and society through advocacy and education for younger generations. The benefits of relational living and previous and ongoing family and peer support for participants were cited as important. However, self-management and independence were also highlighted as key. The authors stress the importance of resilience and strengths to the lives of older people with HIV AIDS. They call for research on larger cohorts and the development of more robust assessment methodology to enable routine evaluation of resilience in the field by practitioners attending HIV AIDS patients.