What is known about the post-traumatic growth experiences among people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS? A systematic review and thematic synthesis of the qualitative literature

Amos, IA ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0634-4624 2015, 'What is known about the post-traumatic growth experiences among people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS? A systematic review and thematic synthesis of the qualitative literature' , Counselling Psychology Review, 30 (3) , pp. 47-56.

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Abstract

Background: Much of the literature suggests that a diagnosis of HIV, or any other chronic illness, heralds a major transformation that is frequently characterised by negative psychological outcomes. However, there has been increasing recognition of the profound positive changes that can follow the diagnosis of a life threatening illness such as HIV, causing researchers to examine experiences of post-traumatic growth among people living with HIV/AIDS.
Data sources: From the 95 studies retrieved from PsycINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL, and additional incorporated search strategies, eight studies were included in the review.
Data synthesis: A thematic synthesis was selected with the aim to ‘go beyond’ the findings of the primary studies included in the review in order to generate new concepts related to the experience of PTG among people living with HIV/AIDS.
Results: The findings of this systematic review suggest that experiences of post-traumatic growth do exist among people living with HIV and manifest themselves across the following four areas: (i) reconsideration of the self; (ii) reordering of values; (iii) redefinition of purpose; and (iv) reconstruction of time.
Conclusion: Therapeutic practitioners may want to take advantage of increasing their awareness of working effectively with presentations of post-traumatic growth, where the facilitation of growth may be considered as a clinical intervention different from interventions designed to alleviate distress.
Keywords: post-traumatic growth; benefit finding; HIV/AIDS; qualitative; systematic review

Item Type:	Article
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society
Journal or Publication Title:	Counselling Psychology Review
Publisher:	The British Psychological Society
ISSN:	0269-6975
Related URLs:	Publication
Depositing User:	IA Amos
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2018 12:03
Last Modified:	18 Feb 2021 13:45
URI:	http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/46114

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