Diminished affective behavior is a frequently observed concomitant of cognitive dysfunction in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), yet little is known about their relationship. A neuropsychological battery and electroencephalogram (EEG) recording was conducted on 29 HIV+ (Mage = 35.6 years, SD =5.36) and 30 HIV- (Mage =32.9 years, SD =6.39) women recruited from a family AIDS care program in South Florida. Using an emotion regulation paradigm, we compared event-related potentials (ERPs) following cues to view-neutral, view-negative and reappraise-negative images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS). A group X instruction interaction was found for the P200 and early (400-1000 ms) late positive potential (LPP). Executive function, i.e., frequent task-switching predicted the attenuation of the early and late LPP following cues to up-regulate negative emotions. Greater response inhibition predicted attenuation of the LPP during the down-regulation of negative emotions. These findings suggest limited cognitive resources for the reappraisal of emotions in women with HIV. / by Roger Christopher McIntosh. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

This study investigates the relationship of three protective factors : self transcendance, social interest, and spirituality to well-being among adults living with HIV or AIDS. It is the first study to explore the relationships of these protective factors to well-being. A convenience sample of 115 adults living with HIV or AIDS completed the Self-Transcendance Scale, the Social Interest Index- Short Form-Revised, the Spiritual Perspective Scale, and the Index of Well-Being. The participants were adults diagnosed with HIV or AIDS residing in a large southeastern U.S. city. Data were analyzed with correlational and multiple regression methods. Statistically significant positive moderate to strong relationships were found between well-being and self transcendance (r=.66, p<.001 ), social interest (r=.51, p<.001), and spirituality (r=.39, p<.001). A stepwise regression demonstrated that self transcendance held the highest variance on well-being among the three protective factors (43%). Additionally, self-transcendane and social interest accounted for 45% of the variance in well-being. In short, the hypothesized positive relationship among these protective factors with well-being was supported. This study provides theoretical and empirical support for linking self transcendance, social interest, and spirituality to well-being among adults living with HIV or AIDS. The clinical implications of these findings are also discussed. / by Jonathan J. Sperry. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

This study was designed to describe the attitudes of staff nurses toward patients who have Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and to determine if the 1989 Washington State licensing requirement for seven hours of AIDS education was effective in changing the attitudes of these nurses toward AIDS patients. Health care providers' attitudes toward patients with AIDS have been documented as differing from their attitudes toward patients with other debilitating conditions (cancer, diabetes, heart disease) in that they place more blame for getting the disease on those with AIDS, they tend to have some degree of homophobia, and they are sometimes overly cautions in using protective procedures around these patients. The consequence of these attitudes can be seen in the nursing care received by some of these patients: insensitive comments and avoidance behavior by staff.

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical psychology) --University of Limpopo, 2009. / The study aimed at assessing and understanding the unmet needs and well-being among people living with HIV/AIDS. People living with HIVAIDS experience many challenges. Challenges may be characterized by medical, social and psychological challenges. Method: A cross sectional design was used. A total of (N = 200) young and adult age ranged from 20-71 years ( = 43.70, SD = 12.420) women (62%) and 75 men (37, 5%) living with HIV/AIDS who attend HIV/AIDS clinic/unit in Polokwane/Mankweng hospital complex was selected with purposive sample. Results: Four hypotheses were tested with one-way ANOVA. The findings indicated that social support (p < .001) and age (p < .04) plays a significant role in the psychological well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS. Medical challenges and gender revealed no significant results. Conclusion: It is concluded that PLWHA attend some form of support groups which will aid in alleviating the psychological distress associated with HIV/AIDS.

Thesis (MA (Clinical Psychology)) --University of Limpopo, 2009 / The aims of the study was to investigate if people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have access to health care, to determine utilisation patterns and to investigate how gender differences, socioeconomic, geographic location, and cultural beliefs influence access to and the utilisation of health care among PLWHA. Methods: This was a quantitative study based on a cross-sectional design. The study comprised of 200 participants (45% males and 55% females), of which 71% were unemployed. Twenty-eight (28%) survive by the disability grant due to the illness as well as child support grants. Sixty eight (68%) were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS for the duration of 3-5 years. Descriptives, frequencies and ANOVA were employed to analyse data. Results: Participants were found to have access to and to utilise health care services. There was no gender differences found with regard to access to and utilisation of health care, but there was however a significant (p<.05) difference in gender and educational level interaction. Educational level and geographical location were found not to influence the actual access and utilisation rather, it determined the type of health care service utilised. Participants with higher educational levels, and those who reside in urban areas were significantly (p<.05) found to utilise private health care services than primary health care. Cultural beliefs were found not to influence access to and utilise of health care services. Conclusion: Barriers outlined for non-use of primary health care services need immediate attention in order to maximise access to and utilisation of primary health care services by PLWHA.

Thesis (M.PH.) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / Objectives: To determine the level of adherence of people who are on ARVs and to determine the influence of HIV and AIDS stigma and family support on adherence and non-adherence to antiretrovirals. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study involving 175 HIV/AIDS adult patients attending Siloam hospital was conducted. These patients were on ARV drugs. They were investigated for the level of adherence and the influence of HIV and AIDS stigma and family support on adherence and non-adherence to antiretrovirals. Data were collected from respondents through self-administered questionnaires which were distributed to 175 randomly selected participants. The key variables were demographic information and social support and disclosure, current use of ARVs and personal experience of living with HIV/AIDS. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, numerical summaries, tables, graphs, ANOVA, Pearson chi-square test and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Results: Forty comma eight percent (40,8%) of the respondents on ARVs were males and 28, 8 % females aged between 23-35 years; 23, 9% males and 40, 4% females ranged between 36-45 years; 35, 2% males and 30, 8% were 46 years old and above. The most commonly cited reasons for missing doses were: Social grant, forgetting, side effects and stigma. The most cited reasons for taking medication were: respondents wanted to feel better; to increase the CD4 count; and they feared death. The majority of the adhering participants, 68, 9% and 55, 8% of the non- adhering group never experienced negative reactions from their families after disclosure. There was no significant difference between the adhering and the non adhering group (P =0.250). A substantial number of ARV users of the adhering group 92, 2% participants disclosed that they were receiving support which included emotional/psychological support, financial support, physical care support as well as reminders to ensure that they took their medications on time. There was no significant difference between the adhering and the non adhering group on the general satisfaction with the overall support they received from their family (p= 0.976). Conclusion: Patients have a range of reasons for failing to adhere to their antiretroviral therapy and reasons for adhering. Support can improve adherence to therapy and patients can only receive support if they revealed their HIV positive status. It was recommended that the community should be sensitised about the availability of treatment and the importance of adherence Keywords: Adherence, antiretrovirals, HIV/AIDS, stigma and family support

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has become the world's foremost health threat and is the number one killer in Zimbabwe. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome impacts not only the individual who has AIDS, but on nuclear and extended families, and all aspects of society in Zimbabwe. Since studies have indicated that counseling could be an effective tool in preventing the spread of Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) and helping those who are already impacted by the virus, it would be important for counselors to be knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and have positive attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to investigate eight practicing Zimbabwean counselors' attitudes towards and knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Additionally, the study explored the emotions the counselors experienced while counseling HI V/AIDS clients, their beliefs about the origin of HI V/AIDS, and their perceptions about HI V/AIDS counseling in Zimbabwe. Eight practicing counselors in Zimbabwe participated in this study. A mixed method Model III with a sequential exploratory design was used amid phenomenological underpinnings. The counselors provided information through a mailed (electronic mail) questionnaire and telephone interviews. Follow-ups to the interviews were carried out through the electronic mail. Results indicated that the counselors in the study were generally knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS, had positive attitudes toward people with HIV/AIDS, and did not think that the origin of HIV/AIDS was important and that it was better to focus on the solutions to the problem. The counselors experienced a wide variety of feelings while counseling HIV/AIDS clients. The counselors reported more negative than positive feelings, but most of the feelings were not directed toward the client. The counselors revealed that HIV/AIDS counseling was complex and difficult. The counselors thought counselor training in Zimbabwe was too limited and that counselors in Zimbabwe in general lacked both support and supervision services. Despite the difficulties of, and the lack of support and supervision, the counselors found meaning in counseling HIV/AIDS clients. / Graduation date: 2004

M. Tech. Nursing / Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) related stigma has been reported as a major barrier of HIV control and prevention globally. It creates social inequalities that distance people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) from social interactions and support, impacting negatively on prevention and care. The purpose of this study was to develop guidelines to reduce HIV and AIDS stigmatisation in Soshanguve. The objectives were to explore the perceptions of PLWHA regarding stigmatisation of their illness and the impact on their daily living; describe the reactions of the community members towards PLWHA and develop guidelines to reduce HIV and AIDS stigmatisation in Soshanguve.

published_or_final_version / Education / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

HIV/AIDS is a significant social problem impacting on families, communities, the public health sector and greater society. This qualitative study looked at the experiences of social support among volunteer caregivers of people living with AIDS and relationships of trust and solidarity between caregivers and members of the community. KwaZulu-Natal has the highest HIV infection rate in South Africa. This further compounds the burden of care and stigma surrounding caring for people living with HIV/AIDS .This study draws on aspects of social support theory, social capital framework and the theoretical resources of socio-ecological theory more broadly. Methodologically, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 female volunteer caregivers with a minimum of three months care work experience and Ulin’s thematic analysis was utilized to highlight the salient themes around their experiences of social support. The findings of this study revealed that the burden of care, stigma experienced by the volunteer caregivers and the relationships between the volunteers and community members as well as social networks all played a significant role in the need for the provision of social support to the volunteers. Furthermore, the findings of the study highlighted the social consequences of care work and the need for support in this ambit. The study concluded that social support for the volunteers is severely lacking for the following reasons; there was a complete breakdown of social cohesion between the volunteers and their community; the relationships between the volunteer and surrounding social networks were under strain and as a result had a negative impact on the accessing of social support. Factors such as social trust, social bonding, social bridging and social linking were lacking between the volunteers and the community therefore accessing social support becomes problematic. Poverty is a factor that had a ripple effect on the volunteer and resulted in the urgent need for support in the form of tangible and emotional resources. Volunteerism is an undeniable necessity in the treatment or care of HIV/AIDS patients. The issues around social trust and social networks played a key role in the accessing of social support which ultimately impacted on the efficacy of care provided by the volunteer. The findings highlighted that there was a dire need to mobilize social capital within the KwaNgcolosi community in order to create relationships that would facilitate the social support needed by the volunteer. / Thesis (MMed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.