Yale University

In sickness and in health: a qualitative study of how Chinese women with HIV navigate stigma and negotiate disclosure within their marriages/partnerships.

TitleIn sickness and in health: a qualitative study of how Chinese women with HIV navigate stigma and negotiate disclosure within their marriages/partnerships.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsChen, Wei-Ti, Cheng-Shi Shiu, Jane M. Simoni, Hongxin Zhao, Mei Juan Bao, and Hongzhou Lu
JournalAIDS care
Volume23 Suppl 1
Pagination120-5
Date Published2011 Jun
ISSN1360-0451
KeywordsAdult, China, Disclosure, Female, Health Status, HIV Infections, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Marital Status, Middle Aged, Negotiating, Prejudice, Qualitative Research, Social Stigma, Social Support
AbstractIn China, there are currently an estimated 180,000 women between 16 and 45 years of age living with HIV. However, we know very little about their lived experiences. Given the spread of the AIDS epidemic in China and the burden it exerts on quality of life, there is an urgent need to understand how HIV affects Chinese women, particularly in the context of their marriages. How do they negotiate the extreme stigma of their illness in making decisions about disclosure and social support, especially in the context of their family life? We recruited 26 Chinese women with HIV in Beijing and Shanghai for in-depth interviews employing a phenomenological approach. We examined the process and outcomes of disclosure within the course of the women's search for social support. Women in HIV-discordant relationships often experienced a termination of their marriage after disclosure, yet others exhibited remarkable resilience, finding new strength through the challenge of their illness. Findings underscore the need for accessible and culturally acceptable interventions for Chinese women with HIV who face considerable stigma in their search for support.
DOI10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181fbc94f
Alternate JournalAIDS Care

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