| The purpose of the research study described in the dissertation was to explore and make visible the lived experience of becoming (receiving diagnosis of HIV infection) and being HIV positive (living with HIV on a daily basis) for African American women with children and the meanings of the lived experience for the women as told in narrative or story form by the women themselves.; Max van Manen's Hermeneutic Phenomenological Human Science Theory provided the philosophical framework for the study. Participants were purposively chosen who were determined to be representative of the population to be studied and who were knowledgeable about the issues under study. The twelve participants in the study were HIV positive African American women with children.; The themes: shock and disbelief, despair and hopelessness, and fear of rejection characterized becoming HIV positive for the women in the study. The themes: the heavy burden of HIV, lightening the burden of HIV and steadfast faith gave meaning to living with HIV on a daily basis for study participants.; The cultural experiences of gender, race, mothering and stigma had an impact on becoming and being HIV positive for the women in the study. These same factors are important to look at when seeking to engage and retain HIV positive African American women with children in the successful care and treatment of their illness. Valuing and encouraging patients' perspectives (including the spiritual dimensions) of illness fosters the development of a therapeutic and caring relationship between nurse and patient. Nurses can make a positive difference in winning the war on HIV by realizing the influence of culture on illness and wellness and the importance of utilizing patients' strengths when planning care. |
