title: In invisibility and isolation: the experience of HIV-affected families in German-speaking Switzerland.
abstract: Based on critical hermeneutics, the author presents insights about caregiving experiences of HIV-affected families in Switzerland. Using a qualitative approach, she interviewed 11 families and conducted 3 group discussions with members of different families. Two main themes emerged--Caught In Between: Family Changes Forced by HIV/AIDS and No Request for Support: Family Caregiving in the Context of Invisibility. The former portrays the families' struggle with new family constellations. Members felt close to, ambivalent toward, or distant from the infected member and built subgroups representing these connections and values. The latter portrays the families' withdrawal from their environment, whereby one or two close family members almost invisibly provided caregiving without outside support. These behaviors were reinforced by the Swiss health care system, which focuses on individuals. Suggestions for interventions are introduced.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spirig
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005858:Germany / Q000208:ethnology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing*; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D011593:Psychology, Social; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D013557:Switzerland