title: A grounded theory of social participation among older women living with HIV.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As adults age with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the role for rehabilitation continues to emerge. Understanding how social participation is affected among women aging with HIV can inform occupational therapy assessment and treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to develop a theoretical model that describes the experiences of social participation from the perspective of older women living with HIV.
  
  
  METHODS
  A grounded theory methodological approach was utilized. We conducted interviews with 20 women living with HIV, age 50 or older, to explore various aspects of social participation, including self-care, relationships with others, and access to health and social services. Emergent themes informed the theoretical model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The theoretical model comprises four concepts related to social participation: social engagement, social isolation, contrasting perceptions about factors variably influencing participation, and contextual influences that may enhance or hinder social participation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women aging with HIV experience social participation as a dynamic process involving social engagement and isolation. Contextual influences may promote and impede social participation.
authors.affiliation: McMaster University. jennifer.s.siemon@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jennifer S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Siemon
authors.affiliation: McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blenkhorn
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Seanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Kelly K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Patricia E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Solomon
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001828:Body Image; D030881:Disclosure; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012934:Social Isolation; D058992:Social Participation; D057545:Social Stigma