The lived experience of posttraumatic growth in gay men after an HIV diagnosis: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

As a result of advances in highly active antiretroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been reconceptualised as a long-term chronic health condition instead of a death sentence. Nonetheless, receiving a positive diagnosis can still be an extremely traumatic experience. Whilst there are many people living with HIV who struggle with their diagnosis, some can also manage to find meaning from it and so experience positive change within their lives. This research seeks to explore the lived experience of eight HIV-positive gay men between the ages of 35 and 50 who have experienced posttraumatic growth (PTG) since their diagnosis.
Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse interview data. Four super-ordinate themes were identified: the first highlights the struggle as the men grapple with their diagnosis. The second theme explores how the men have developed more positive and meaningful relationships with themselves and other people, as well as embarking on a new relationship with their HIV. The third captures the men’s positive growth as they begin to find meaning, whilst creating a more positive mindset, and instigating experiences that would enable them to experience flow and positive emotions. The final super-ordinate theme captures the ways in which the men wrestle with their identities whilst living as HIV-positive gay men. I then discuss these in light of the literature and draw implications for counselling psychology.