title: Contending with Psychological Distress in Contexts with Limited Mental Health Resources: HIV-Positive Kenyan Women's Experiences.
abstract: This study describes the psychosocial distress experiences of HIV-positive women in Kenya. In-depth narrative interviews were conducted three times over six months between 2009 and 2010 with 54 HIV-positive women living in Kenya to explore how the women perceived psychological distress and the steps they took to find support to cope with their HIV-positive diagnosis. Thematic analysis revealed that the women described psychological distress as: physical and emotional shock, worry, and hopelessness and suicidality. The women reported receiving support to cope through spiritual connections, family and friends, others coping with HIV/AIDS, and health care agencies. This study heightens awareness of the critical value of understanding culturally relevant mental health evaluations in a limited mental health access context.
authors.affiliation: a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , College of Nursing , Milwaukee , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Peninnah M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kako
authors.affiliation: b University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Department of Psychology , Milwaukee , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Angela R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Wendorf
authors.affiliation: a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , College of Nursing , Milwaukee , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Patricia E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.affiliation: c University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Zilber School of Public Health , Milwaukee , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ngui
authors.affiliation: d University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , Helen Bader School of Social Welfare , Milwaukee , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Otto-Salaj
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult