Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Qualitative Studies in Health-Related Quality of Life: The Case of Young People Living With HIV/AIDS

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Qualitative Studies in Quality of Life

Part of the book series: Social Indicators Research Series ((SINS,volume 55))

Abstract

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) is a multidimensional concept, which includes physical, psychological and social factors. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV) is a serious health problem worldwide with significant socio-economic and health implications Nowadays it is considered a chronic illness due to the HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) which attenuates the natural evolution of infection. As such a condition, it produces a progressive loss of functional capacity and autonomy of the individual, with a gradual deterioration of physical, psychological and social nature that determines a decrease in the feeling of well-being. Young people are the most vulnerable group because of their little perception of risk, early initiation of sex and promiscuity and social pressure to take potentially generating sexual risk behaviours. Despite considerable efforts, in recent years, to improve the treatment, there is still a limited understanding of the impact thereof and progression of the disease on Quality of Life and HRQOL affecting satisfaction in the lives of these patients. In this chapter a HRQOL qualitative study of young people between 15 and 24 years old who living with HIV/AIDS is presented. Semi-structured interviews where they were inquired about the way of dealing with HIV, social support and life satisfaction were conducted. This study included ten young people: eight men and two women with an average age of 21 years old. The young interviewed expressed their feeling emotionally well with a positive impact on the diagnosis of HIV and a global vision of life favorably with an appropriate psychological and social well-being . They had a suitable emotional and instrumental support from parents and friends with effective resources for coping with it. It would be, then, of great importance to conduct research with qualitative methods to understand the subjective aspects of the disease and have a better understanding of the experience of subject.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ardila, R. (2003). Quality of life: An inclusive definition. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, 35(2), 161–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arita, B. (2005). Homeostatic theory of well-being and life satisfaction. Psicología y Salud, 15(1),121–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Arjona, J., & Guerrero, S. (2004). A study on the styles and coping strategies and their relationship with the variable adaptation in high school adolescents. Psicología Científica. http://www/Psicologiacientifica.com/publicaciones/biblioteca/articulos/ar-ar-jona01.htm. Accessed 10 April 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayres, J., et al. (2006). Risco, vulnerablidade e praticas de prevencao e promocao da saúde. In G. Campos et al. (Eds.), Tratado de saúde coletiva (pp. 375–418). Sao Paulo: Hucitec.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergner, M. (1989). Quality of life, health status, and clinical research. Medical Care, 27(3), 148–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradburn, N. (1969). The structure of psychological well-being. On Psychological Well-Bein (pp.1–5). Chicago: Aldine publishing company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brannon, L., & Feist, J. (2001). Health Psychology. (pp. 15–90). Madrid: Paraninfo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cantú Guzmán, R., Álvarez Bermúdez, R., & Torres López, E. (2012). Psychosocial impact in HIV-AIDS patients in Monterrey, Mexico. Psicología y Salud, 22(2), 163–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardona-Arias, J. (2010). Social representations of health- related quality of life in people suffering from HIV/AIDS in Medellin, Colombia. Revista de Salud Pública, 12(5), 765–776.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chesney, M. (2003). Coping effectiveness training for men living with HIV: Results from a randomized clinical trial testing a group based intervention. Psychosomatic Medicine, 65, 1038–1046.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuadra, H., & Florenzano, R. (2003). Subjective well-being: Towards a positive psychology. Revista de Psicología de la Universidad de Chile, 12(1), 83–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95(3), 542–575.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. (1994). Subjective well-being. Psychosocial intervention. Revista sobre igualdad y calidad de vida, 3(8), 67–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Suh, E., Lucas, R., Smith, H. (1999). Subjetive well-being: Three decades of progress. Psychological Bulletin, 125(2), 276–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández, J., Hernández, R., & Siegrist, J. (2001). Profile of quality of life for chronically ill (PQLCI): A method for evaluating well-being and functional impairment in clinical practice. Atención Primaria, 28(10), 680–689.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fierro, A. (1997). Stress, coping and adaptation. In M.I. Hombrados (Ed.). Stress and Heath (pp. 11–37). Valencia: Promolibros.

    Google Scholar 

  • Font, A. (1990). Coping Strategies, Adaptation and Quality of Life. II Congress official of psychologists, Area 5: Health psychology. Book of communications (pp. 90–96). Madrid: Publication’s COP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foreman, M., Lyra, P., & Breinbauer, C. (2003). Understanding and Responding to Stigma and Discrimination on HIV/AIDS in the Health Sector. Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization. http://www1.paho.org/spanish/AD/FCH/AI/Stigma_report_spanish.pdf. Accessed 10 June 2010.

  • García-Viniegras, C., & González, I. (2000). Psychological well-being, its relationship with other social categories. Revista Cubana de Medicina Integral, 16(6), 586–592.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, D., Manzelli, H., & Pecheny, M. (2004). Daily life of people who living with HIV/AIDS and/or Hepatitis C: An application a grounded theory to health. http://www.facso.uchile.cl/publicaciones/moebio/19/manzelli.htm. Accessed 15 June 2012.

  • Kubler-Ross, E. (1969). On Death and Dying. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuczewskiahe, M. (2004). Re-Reading On Death & Dying: What Elisabeth Kubler- Ross can teach clinical bioethics. American Journal of Bioethics, 4(4), W18–W23. doi:10.1080/15265160490908031.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. (1988). Coping as mediator of emotions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(3), 466–475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lertora, J., & Foster, M. (2008). Adverse reactions and interactions of the antiretroviral drugs. In Benetucci, J. (3rd Ed.). AIDS and associated Diseases: diagnosis, clinic and treatment (pp. 746–747). Buenos Aires: FUNDAI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liberalesso, A. (2002). Subjective well-being in adulthood and old age: toward a positive psychology in Latin America. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, 34(1–2), 55–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreno Jiménez, B., & Kern, E. (2005). Health related quality of life in childhood and organ transplantation: A review of the literature.Revista Colombiana de Psicología, (14), 46–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Programme of Fight against Human Retrovirus, AIDS and STDs. (2011). Resource document. Newsletter on HIV/AIDS in Argentina Nº. 28, Year XIV. http://www.msal.gov.ar/sida/boletines.html. Accessed 15 June 2012.

  • Patrick, D., & Erickson, P. (1988). What constitutes quality of life? Concepts and dimensions. Clinical Nutrition, 7(2), 53–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patton, M. (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods. 2nd ed. (pp. 298–306). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pecheny, M., Binstock, G., Manzelli, H., Hiller, R., Bruno, M. (2012). Characterization of women newly diagnosed with HIV in Argentina. Institute Gino Germani, University of Buenos Aires, Center for population studies and Ministry of Health. Final Report of research. http://www.onusida-latina.org/es/argentina-2/316-caracterizacion-de-las-mujeres-recientemente-diagnosticadas-vih-en-argentina.html. Accessed 12 June 2012.

  • Schwartzmann, L. (2003). Health-related quality of life: Conceptual aspects. Ciencia y. Enfermería, 9(2), 9–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shumaker, S., & Naughtozn, M. (1995). The international assessment of health-related quality of life: A theoretical perspective. In S. A. Shumaker & R. A. Berzon (Eds.). The international assessment of health-related quality of life: Theory, translation, measurement and analysis (pp. 3–10). Oxford: Rapid Communications of Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S., & Bogdan, R. (2000). Introduction to qualitative research methods: The search of meanings. Barcelona: Paidos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tonon, G. (2009). La entrevista semi-estrucutrada como técnica de investigación. In G. Tonon (comp). Reflexiones Latinoamericanas sobre Investigación Cualitativa. (pp. 56–75). San justo, Buenos Aires: Editorial Prometo libros-UNLAM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tonon, G. (2012). Como analizar los datos en estudios cualitativos. Documento de trabajo para el curso Introducción a la integración de metodologías, cuarta edición. Washington. INDESIADB.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNAIDS. (2009). Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic. Resource document. UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. http://www.unaids.org/es/dataanalysis/knowyourepidemic/epidemiologypublications. Accessed 10 Feb 2012.

  • Vinaccia, S., Quiceno, M., Gómez, A., & Montoya, L. (2007). Health related quality of life in patients with a diagnosis of mild hypertension. Revista Diversitas: Perspectivas en Psicología, 3(2), 203–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • WHOQoL Group (1995). The World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQoL). Position paper from the World Health Organization. Social Science & Medicine, 41, 1403–1409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lord’s Miracle Hospital, Salta, Argentina

    Milton Décima

Authors
  1. Milton Décima
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Milton Décima .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora and Universidad de Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Graciela Tonon

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Décima, M. (2015). Qualitative Studies in Health-Related Quality of Life: The Case of Young People Living With HIV/AIDS. In: Tonon, G. (eds) Qualitative Studies in Quality of Life. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 55. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13779-7_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation