RECONSTRUCTING A LIFE: A NURSING STUDY OF LONG TERM SURVIVORS OF AIDS (IMMUNE DEFICIENCY).
Contributors: University of Texas at Austin.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 299
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This study describes the meaning of and factors involved in being a long term survivor of AIDS. Research goals included determining the psychosocial factors that enable people with HIV infection to become long term survivors of AIDS and describing the mechanism by which these factors work. A naturalistic study design using ethnographic interviewing techniques was employed. There were 20 participants: 14 men and six women. Eighteen participants were Caucasian and two were Black. Criteria for selection included being at least 18 years old and English speaking; being in Stage IV of HIV disease for at least three years; and self-definition as a long term survivor. Theoretical sampling techniques were used, and subjects also referred other participants. Data were generated through multiple intensive open-ended interviews. Manifest and latent content analysis techniques were applied to the transcripts, and the major process and its five supporting dimensions were derived. T4 counts were obtained via self-report from the participants to establish immune status. The major process that emerged from the reports of the participants was that of reconstructing their lives within the context of AIDS. This process is supported by five dimensions: normalizing, focusing on living, taking care of oneself, being in relation to others, and triumphing. The dimensions contain components which were the specific mechanisms used to cope with AIDS. These dimensions and their components worked by helping the participants to maintain a life in balance. Recommendations are made for nursing research and theory development.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-04, Section: B, page: 1885.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 1993.

School code: 0227.