Identity development in adolescents living with HIV
Hosek, S.G.; Harper, G.W.; Robinson, W.L.
Journal of Adolescence 25(4): 355-364
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-1971 PMID: 12175992 DOI: 10.1006/jado.2002.0480Document Number: 244310
The purpose of this project was to qualitatively explore how identity formation may be affected by the presence of HIV disease. Eight HIV-infected adolescents (three males, five females), aged 17-21, participated in a semi-structured interview that combined measures of identity development with open-ended, qualitative questions aimed at eliciting the adolescents' personal stories and experiences of living with HIV. All participants fell into either Diffusion or Achievement identity statuses, which in turn impacted their response to having HIV. The impact that HIV had on the participants' values and future goals varied across the sample. Findings are discussed in terms of clinical intervention implications, contextual variables, and the need for larger, more comprehensive research efforts.
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