J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2011 Dec;20(4):334-344. 10.12934/jkpmhn.2011.20.4.334.

Experience of People Living with HIV Working as Caregivers for AIDS Patients

• Kim J
• Shin G
• Park YM
• Lim EJ
• Nam HA

• KMID: 2321921
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2011.20.4.334

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate in-depth and to understand the experience of people living with HIV who work as caregivers for patients with AIDS.
METHODS
Data were collected from December 2010 to April 2011 through focus group and in-depth interviews. Ten people with HIV who work as caregivers for patients with AIDS participated in the research. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method (1978).
RESULTS
The results showed the important themes to be 'feelings of sympathy', 'burden of caregiving', 'identifying one's own self-worth' and 'hoping for a meaningful future'. People with HIV experienced deep empathy with patients with AIDS, and, even though they suffered physical and emotional distress from the caregiving process, they felt a sense of self-worth and found their existence connected with the world. Furthermore, they were taking more active care of themselves and hoping for a meaningful future.
CONCLUSION
For successful social adaptation of people with HIV currently in job-seeking activities, various vocational rehabilitation services are necessary. The results of this study could be used in developing effective social support services for people living with HIV attempting workforce re-entry.

Keyword

HIV/AIDS; Caregivers; Experience; Vocational rehabilitation; Qualitative research

MeSH Terms

Caregivers*
Empathy
Focus Groups
HIV*
Hope
Humans
Qualitative Research
Rehabilitation, Vocational

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