then grouped to form subthemes and super-ordinate themes (the thematic framework and categories was discussed byboth authors). The approach acknowl- edges the researchers’ influence and interpretation of the data. Results Inductive themes of adjustment and perceived growth were identified. While a number of changes were negative, the women also spoke of positive growth that had occurred since their HIV diagnosis which had enabled them to move forward with their lives optimistically. As the focus of this article is on positive adjustment, onlythe positive themes are presented here. Two super-ordinate themes were identified positive changes in coping and positive growth since the HIV diagnosis (see Table 2). Super-ordinate theme positive changes in coping Subtheme: positive interpretation of their situation This theme reflects the positive coping strategies these women engaged in. Comparing themselves with others allowed the participants to hold a more positive future outlook on life, increased their con- fidence and increased their self-esteem. Both upward (where we compare with others who are better-off than ourselves) and downward comparison (where we compare with others who are worse-off than our- selves) were important here. Elizabeth engaged in upward social comparison where she compared herself with someone coping well with HIV, enabling her to be aware of the short- comings of her own behaviour and inspired her to cope better: She told me, [. . .] ‘I’m positive as well’ but she was looking good. I said ‘Oh mygod’ Then I knew mylife because, if a person like her, looking good as she is, then I should do something and stop moaning about myself, so I stopped. (Elizabeth) Another participant, Jessica, used downward social comparison comparing herself with people not in- fected with HIV but still interpreting this positively. This was a potentiallythreatening comparison as she Table 2. Table of themes. Superordinate theme Positive changes in coping Positive growth since the HIV diagnosis AIDS Care 145 was HIV-positive, while the targets (the people she compared herself with) were not, yet she re-inter- preted the situation so that she was the one who was better off. This strategyremoved the stress associated with worryand allowed her to feel positive about her situation: You onlyget infected with HIV once, so you don’t have to worry about it anymore anyway. So for those people who are negative, theyhave to worrynot to get it. Me, I don’t worryabout it anymore. All I have to worry is to look after myself. Not get any, like, re-infected, byusing unprotected sex. Just look after myself really. Yes, that’s the positive part, one of them. (Jessica) Jane also used downward social comparison, com- pared herself with those less fortunate with regards to their illness severity, interpreted the comparison positivelyand felt better about her own situation: Sometimes you see people [at the support groups] who are very ill, more than you, and you think ‘Oh, I’m much better off’. (Jane) Subtheme: positive behavioural changes Although manyof the women found taking medica- tion everydayan unwanted reminder of their illness, manyhad adopted other healthier behaviours since their diagnosis. Sticking to a strict medical regime and seeing the medication working encouraged a sense of coping and control over their illness. I feel I reallycope. I feel I am positive to live with HIV because if I’m not positive I think everything won’t work. And whyI am verymuch positive, the treatment is working. The medication I am taking is working. (Jane) Jennifer took control byengaging in health beha- viours. She took precautions with the food she ate and the water she drank, and did what she could do to protect herself from malaria, revealing her beliefs about her immune system. When I travel [. . .] to Zimbabwe, before I knew about mydiagnosis I would just drink water when I go to the village but now because I know that myimmunity is suppressed I buythose creams to protect me from Subtheme Positive interpretation of their situation Positive behavioural changes Changes in the value of life Changes in goals and opportunities