title: I wish I could tell you but I can't: adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV and their dilemmas around self-disclosure.
abstract: Many young people growing up with HIV are choosing not to disclose their status to others, yet are likely to face difficult decisions and conversations such as explaining school absence, taking medication, coping with physical changes and for many, parental bereavement. This study aims to describe and explore the attitudes and opinions of adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV towards disclosure. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine young people aged 13-19 and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four themes emerged to illuminate the young people's attitudes towards disclosure. These were 1) myths and assumptions, 2) the disclosure dilemma, 3) fear and 4) keeping HIV in its place. This study confirms that many young people with HIV are choosing not to disclose. However, it appears that it is a complex decision-making process that changes over time and is influenced by developmental factors and societal attitudes towards HIV. Recommendations are suggested for services to better support adolescents growing up with HIV.
authors.affiliation: Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK. jemmahogwood@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Jemma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hogwood
authors.forename: Tomás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Butler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012747:Sexual Partners; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult