A qualitative analysis of male couples' coping with HIV: Disentangling the "we". (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gamarel, Kristi E; Comfort, Megan; Wood, Troy; Neilands, Torsten B; Johnson, Mallory O
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 21:Number 10(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 2125
• Page End: 2137
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: AIDS -- coping -- family -- qualitative methods -- social support; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105315571975
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

Research suggests that optimal couple functioning depends on adopting a "we" orientation to health. Using qualitative data from 20 male couples in which at least one partner was HIV-positive, we examined how couples viewed their health involvement and its relation to social support. One group described their health as highly interconnected; in a second group, at least one partner viewed health as a personal responsibility. Results revealed that there was not a uniform "we" approach toward health; rather, sero-concordance, sero-discordance, and coping with other chronic illnesses strongly contributed to orientations toward health. Orientations toward health were not found to determine social support.