Psychological And Social Consequences Of Hiv / Aids

Since the discovery of AIDs it has been recognized as a global epidemic within the United States. Although there are a number of ways AIDs can be contracted, most people see AIDS as a â€Å"Gay Disease†. This can cause a problem among those in a romantic relationship where one person is HIV- positive. For those affected there can be both psychological and social consequences. For instance, John struggled to redefine himself after learning about his illness (p. 243). Research shows that â€Å"Infected persons may be confronted with having to reexamine their sexual identity and the behavioral choices they have made in support of that identity† (Bezuidenhoud et al., n.d., p. 19). Associating the behaviors of HIV/AIDs based on how society feel would be†¦show more content†¦Couples often struggle with alternative ways to demonstrate intimacy and affection when sexual contact is no longer possible (p. 242). It is normal for one to feel scared about being intimate, but if HIV prevention is taking into consideration the fears can be alleviated. Furthermore, being in a relationship where one person is HIV-positive there is a chance of the healthy person becoming infected whether condoms are used or not. As for John and Rosalie the â€Å"couple wanted to be physical intimate, but the risk of infecting Rosalie with HIV was a chance they were not willing to take† (p. 243). The couple eventually came up with new ways to fit their new life style by playing music and holding each other. Like any other serious health concern, living with AIDs can impact an individual’s social relationships. Social factors influence the individual’s ability to cope with the diagnosis because once they reach the â€Å"coming out† stage they are most likely to see signs of discrimination and stigma among friends. During this psychological process the individual wants to feel loved, accepted, and have a strong social support. Relationships with families and friends are very important to quality of life. As John’s illness progressed he experienced a decline in social relationships; John explained that some friends stayed in touch while others stopped visiting or making contact (p. 241). Even Rosalie felt the raft of