Sources of Personal Meaning Among Mexican and Mexican American Men with HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT

This study examines one particular form of coping, finding personal meaning in the context of HIV, used by Mexican (M) and Mexican American (MA) HIV-positive men. A total of forty M and MA males who have HIV or AIDS was utilized. Individual interviews were conducted and subsequently transcribed and analyzed through content analysis. The areas most often reported by the M and MA respondents as being sources of personal meaning were as follows: relationships with family members, relationships with lovers/spouses and friends, religious beliefs, helping others, and personal growth. Knowledge of such coping resources used by M and MA men with HIV can contribute to the development of ethnic-sensitive social work practices.

Key Words:

• Mexican
• Mexican American
• HIV
• coping
• meaning