The HIV/AIDS caregiver identity as a double-edged sword: a discourse analysis on HIV/AIDS caregiving in South Africa.
This article discusses the identity of HIV/AIDS caregivers as constructed by a group of HIV/AIDS caregivers at a non-profit organisation in South Africa. During a 12-month period data were collected through interviews with the organisation's staff and volunteers. Using discourse analysis, the study identified a caregiver identity constructed by participants. This caregiving identity acts as a double-edged sword: while the rewards of caregiving act as a buffer against stressful experiences, the prescriptive nature of the caregiver identity is taxing, and may explain burnout among HIV/AIDS caregivers. The study concludes that for support systems for HIV/AIDS caregivers to be effective, the social culture and identity of HIV/AIDS caregivers must be considered.
a Angered Hospital , Box 63, 424 22 Angered , Sweden Email: vania.ranjbar@vgregion.se.
Vania
V
Ranjbar
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009939:Organizations, Nonprofit; D012944:Social Support; D013019:South Africa; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D055815:Young Adult
culture; discourse analysis; identity control theory; non-profit organisation; organisational socialisation; self-categorisation theory