title: "I Created Something New with Something that Had Died": Photo-Narratives of Positive Transformation Among Women with HIV.
abstract: A dearth of research describes the strengths of women living with HIV (WLH), yet understanding these strengths can promote women's well-being and healthy behavior. This analysis explores positive life transformations among WLH through photo-stories. WLH (N = 30) from three U.S. cities participated in a pilot photovoice project to tell their story of HIV. The project included three group meetings, an individual interview, and a public exhibit. Using qualitative strategies of theme and narrative analysis we identified positive transformations in women's photo-stories. Participants were African American (83 %) and low income (83 %). Women described four major positive transitions in their lives including transformations related to healthfulness, spirituality, self-acceptance, and confidence. Despite challenges, WLH experience positive transformation and growth experiences. Understanding these transformative changes can shed light on women's motivation to make healthy life changes and thus frame strengths-based interventions for WLH. Photovoice itself is a potential strategy to promote WLH's strengths and health.
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences, University of Missouri, 512 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA, tetim@health.missouri.edu.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teti
authors.forename: Bryana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Loida
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonney
authors.forename: Marguerita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lightfoot
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D062525:Narrative Therapy; D010781:Photography; D011203:Poverty; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D014481:United States