The psychosocial stressors of women with HIV/AIDS involved in a support group (in Walvis Bay)

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:An exploratory study was conducted to determine the psychosocial stressors of women livingwith HIV/AlDS. The study also included the utilisation of group work by social workers tosupport HIV positive women. The exploratory study was also conducted to determine HIVpositive women's experiences in a support group.The researcher's interest in group work, as well as her involvement with a support group withHIV positive women, is the motivation for the study. The aim of the study is to provide anexplanation of the psychosocial stressors that HIV positive women experience and also tocapture their experiences regarding the support group they attend.Nine psychosocial stressors, namely anger, fear, loss, grieve, guilt, denial and disclosure,depression, suicidal behaviour and anxiety, were included in the literature study. Theadvantages, disadvantages and components of group work, as well as comparisons ofeffective and ineffective groups, were highlighted. The research also focused on planning agroup for women with HIV/AlDS, with special attention given to the needs assessment, thepurpose of the group, the group composition and the structure of the group. The value ofgroup work with HIV positive women was investigated.The universum was HIV positive women at the Walvis Bay Multi-Purpose Centre. Thequalitative research method that was used took the form of structured interviews. The resultsof this study generally confirmed the findings of the literature study. Recommendationsinclude ways in which social workers can assist HIV positive women not only on anindividual basis but also especially in a group setting, and recommendations concerningfuture research. The importance of future research with HIV positive women was especiallyrecommended.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University