Skip to main content
Article
“I’m Not Going to Die from the AIDS”: Resilience in Aging with HIV Disease
The Gerontologist (2011)
  • Charles A Emlet, University of Washington Tacoma
  • Shakima Tozay
  • Victoria H Raveis, New York University
Abstract
Adults aging with HIV/AIDS can experience resilience in spite of the deleterious affects of the disease. This study seeks to examine the lived experiences of older adults with HIV/AIDS as it relates to strengths and resilience in dealing with this devastating disease. Design and methods: Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 adults, 50 years and older, living with HIV/AIDS. The interview transcripts were analyzed using constant comparative methodology following the tenets of adaptive theory. Results: The majority of informants expressed experiences of resilience and strengths as related to living with HIV/AIDS. Seven major themes emerged from the analysis including self-acceptance, optimism, will to live, generativity, self-management, relational living, and independence. Implications: The research identified the importance of strengths and resilience among older adults living with HIV/AIDS. Further research is needed to explore these phenomena with larger samples. Practitioners should identify and implement methods for assessing resilience among older HIV-infected adults.
Keywords
  • HIV disease,
  • resilience,
  • aging,
  • strengths
Publication Date
2011
Citation Information
Charles A Emlet, Shakima Tozay and Victoria H Raveis. "“I’m Not Going to Die from the AIDS”: Resilience in Aging with HIV Disease" The Gerontologist Vol. 51 Iss. 1 (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/charles_emlet/4/