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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

A new era of living with HIV: Coping mechanisms employed a quarter century later

Courtney Marie Cora Jones and Daniel Thomas. Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester, Box # 644, Rochester, NY 14623, 5852984053, Daniel_Thomas@urmc.rochester.edu

In the United States today, HIV is now often associated with long-term survival, rather than the death sentence HIV once stood for. Between 1999 and 2003 the number of people diagnosed with HIV in the U.S. increased by 4%, while the number of people who died from HIV/AIDS dropped by 3%. These opposing trends have resulted in a growing number of people living with HIV. This year marks twenty-five years since the beginning of the epidemic. In this new era there is a need to reassess the coping mechanisms employed in accepting one's HIV-positive status. Previous research has demonstrated the effect that the emotional response to an HIV diagnosis can have on a person's adherence to therapeutic regimens, high-risk behaviors, and quality of life. Understanding the transition from the negative shock of an HIV diagnosis to a positive outlook on the life with HIV could prove useful in assisting newly diagnosed people adapt to and cope with their new status. This qualitative study design uses an array of data sources – document analysis, in-depth interviews, and photovoice -- to identify coping mechanisms used in transitioning from initial HIV diagnosis to ‘positively living positive'. Implementing a diverse set of data collection methods allowed for the identification of eight themes being of particular importance: support, religion, knowledge, activism/outreach, will to live, healthy lifestyle, new perspectives, and present focused. This study discusses the importance of integrating these coping mechanisms into the clinical setting; thereby, helping existing HIV/AIDS programs to better serve their clientele.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives