Foote, Carrie E.Reichert, Erica S.Aponte, RobertFife, Betsy Louise2011-03-092011-03-092011-03-09https://hdl.handle.net/1805/2462http://dx.doi.org/10.7912/C2/686Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)This study explored the experiences of raising children in the context of living with HIV/AIDS. In the fall of 2007, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 HIV-positive mothers (8 African American and 9 white) living in Indiana. Spillover theory was used to describe the interacting effects of the experience of living with HIV/AIDS and the experience of motherhood on one another. Findings indicate that maternal ideologies critically affected how the women experienced both their HIV-positive status and their mothering experiences. Findings also show that the mothers developed strategies to help them reconcile their valued identity as mothers with a stigmatized identity as HIV-positive women. Recommendations are made regarding directions for future research, social policy, and social service provision.en-USmaternal ideologiesstigmamotherhoodHIV/AIDSHIV-positive women -- IndianaMother and childMothersMotherhoodThesis