title: Dealing with a life-threatening diagnosis: the experience of people with the human immunodeficiency virus.
abstract: Different individuals demonstrate a variety of responses on learning that they have tested positive to the presence of antibodies to HIV. These responses range from rapid acceptance by some people, to a strong and persistent negative reaction in others. This paper reports a preliminary attempt to examine the possible nature and origin of coping responses. Twenty-three volunteer participants responding to newspaper advertisements were asked to complete two questionnaires designed for this study--one concerning their psychological state and one enquiring about their physical health. Following this a sample of high scores (n = 5) and a sample of low scorers (n = 5) were interviewed in depth. The results indicate that coping strategies may be influenced by: the time since diagnosis; the perceived physical health of the individual; and by social support. The construction of the psychological questionnaire is described and the results from this and the interviews are discussed with suggestions for further research.
authors.affiliation: School of Creative, Cultural and Social Studies, Thames Valley University, London, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chidwick
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Borrill
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002388:Catastrophic Illness / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires