Women coping with AIDS in Africa: Contributions of a contextually grounded research methodology

Authors: Brandt, René¹; Dawes, Andrew¹; Bray, Rachel¹

Source: Psychology, Health and Medicine, Volume 11, Number 4, November 2006 , pp. 522-527(6)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The primary objective of this report is to describe a contextually grounded approach to the investigation of coping and psychological functioning in AIDS-sick mothers. Five AIDS-sick women on antiretroviral therapy who had at least one child under 6 years of age living in their households were interviewed. Among the issues that emerged was the complexity of the women's psychological functioning, the fact that they made strategic decisions about disclosure aimed at protecting important social support networks, and that their well-being was dynamically influenced by factors in the home and community. The study provides evidence for the value of a contextual approach when investigating the psychological functioning of HIV positive mothers living in poor high-HIV prevalence communities in developing countries.

Keywords: AIDS; women; Africa; psychological functioning; contextual approach; methodology

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/13548500500391132

Affiliations: 1: Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town and Department of Social Anthropology, University of Cape Town

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