Coping strategies of people with HIV/AIDS in negative health care experiences

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to gain insight into coping strategies of people with HIV/AIDS (PWHAs) in Taiwan who had negative health care experiences. This study used a phenomenological approach. Participants were 14 PWHAs with an average age of 35 years who had known their positive HIV status for an average of 24.9 months. Two coping strategies used to deal with negative health care experiences included, 'don't make a big fuss about it', and 'building defenses and finding alternatives'. Cultural aspects of PWHAs' coping strategies are discussed as they distinguish Chinese from western culture.