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

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.