Vitality and growth in HIV-infected gay men.
The emphasis in the psychosocial literature on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has been placed, correctly, on the traumatic impact of AIDS in terms of mortality, bereavement, suicide, psychopathology, and coping with life amid enormous multiple stressors. However, an important aspect of the HIV epidemic has been paid only minimal attention: many HIV-positive gay men have experienced beneficial, or even life-transforming, aspects of their situation. Seven HIV-positive gay men are described here who have successfully integrated HIV into a framework of world- and self-beliefs that allows for coherence, stability, emotional vitality, and positive self-regard. Eight general characteristics of these men are presented. These men represent a subgroup from a sample of 19 subjects in a qualitative clinical interview study exploring how HIV-positive gay men ascribe meaning to AIDS and their own HIV infection [1].
Schwartzberg
S S
SS
Adult Outpatient Clinic, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02178.
D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept