Caring for 'underground' kids: qualitative interviews with clinicians about key issues for young people growing up with perinatally acquired HIV in Australia. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Persson, Asha; Newman, Christy E.; Miller, Angela
• Is Part Of: International journal of adolescence and youth. Volume 22:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: perinatally HIV-infected children -- transition to adolescence and adulthood -- clinician perspectives -- qualitative interviews -- Australia; Adolescence -- Periodicals; Youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; 305.235
• DOI: 10.1080/02673843.2013.866149
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-3843

Abstract

Abstract : Young people growing up with HIV are an emerging subpopulation in the global epidemic. Discursive representations of this population are largely dominated by the US-based research literature, which typically focuses on dysfunctions, sexual risks and negative public health outcomes. Against this background, our article examines clinical perspectives on key issues for young people with perinatally acquired HIV who are transitioning to adolescence and adulthood in Australia. We show that although the clinicians we interviewed raised many of the same issues found in the US literature, there was far greater emphasis on the well-being of their young clients and on the social complexities and impact of their condition, providing a narrative that departs from the usual framing of this population. We conclude that future research could usefully contribute to a richer understanding of these young people by focusing on stories of success, survival and resilience.