title: HIV informal caregiving: emergent conflict and growth.
abstract: Findings are reported from a prospective study of 20 persons on the experience of providing informal care to partners or family members with HIV syndrome. In-depth, focused interviews were completed. Data were initially coded using an inductive technique and thematically analyzed. The informal care providers were found to engage in a variety of interacting, and often conflicting, psychosocial and instrumental processes that occurred over three emergent phases: (a) transitions to care, (b) living the burden, and (c) facing the void. Although the care providers struggled with various sources of uncertainty and distress, when periods of equanimity were realized, they experienced a heightened sense of coherence and personal growth.
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University, College of Nursing, Columbus 43210, USA.
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Alonzo
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing*; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires