Browsing by Author "Reichert, Erica S."

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    "Motherhood is Our Common Denominator": A Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of HIV-Positive Mothers
    (2011-03-09) Reichert, Erica S.; Foote, Carrie E.; Aponte, Robert; Fife, Betsy Louise
    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.