M.A. (Psychology) / It is generally accepted that Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is the most serious pandemic ever to threaten South Africa. Within the context of South Africa being an African country, this pandemic is dramatically increasing and establishing a pattern which will not only effect the health services in the future, but will also have a devastating effect on the economy of the country. The greatest impact of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is not only on the individual and his health condition, but also on the context within which the individual functions. Within this context, the family is affected and a reciprocal effect takes place, where the manner in which the family of the affected individual deals with his condition, may have a detrimental effect on his illness. To date limited research has been conducted to describe this condition and its impact on the family. This study was undertaken in order to deal with the problem. Two experimental groups were recruited, the reason being that these two experimental groups would largely cover the diversity of the field in which this condition occurs. The first experimental group consisted out of white homosexual males who were diagnosed as having AIDS and the second group consisted out of a group of black heterosexual males who were also diagnosed as having AIDS. Ten psychosocial variables were isolated in order to investigate the impact the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome has on family interaction. These were: depression, alienation, conflict within the family, cohesion within the family, meaningful interaction within the family, social interaction within the family, moral/religious emphasis within the family, impact of the disease on physical ability, the need for sleep and rest, and total sickness impact on the individual. An analysis of the data indicated that both white homosexual male subjects and black heterosexual male subjects displayed significantly more depression, less social interaction, a greater need for sleep and rest, and a decline in physical ability. Furthermore, the analysis also indicated a very serious impact on the individual's ability to function. Of exceptional importance was the fact that white homosexual subjects displayed significantly more alienation and increased conflict within their families than the black heterosexual subjects, while the black heterosexual subjects in turn experienced less significant interaction within their families
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:3964 |
| Date | 13 February 2014 |
| Creators | Lyell, Vilia |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
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