Self-care and cultural meanings of mothering in african american women with hiv/aids.

Abstract

African American women who are HIV-positive and responsible for mothering an HIV-positive child face many challenges in caring for themselves and their children. This study used critical ethnographic methods to explore the experiences, values, traditions ·and beliefs of African American women to understand how these factors influence self-care and mothering. An Africana Womanist framework was used to guide this study. The study was conducted with a purposive sample of 10. African American · women from the Southeastern United States. The sample participants were HIV-positive and had at least one child who also was HIV-po~itive. The overarching theme derived from the research was "Creating a Life of Meaning", which encompassed domains of · "Disabling Relationships, "Strong Mothering", and "Redefining Self-Care". This study revealed the culturally. specific ways in which African American women mother their children and manage their own care when. living with HIV, a chronic, stigmatizing illness. This study dispels negative stereotypes of African American women and highlights the sttengt}ls ·that women use in their daily lives. This research has the potential to create an impact on the ways in which nursing care is delivered. and self-care promoted for this population.