A Critical Review of the Literature Exploring the Psychological Impact of Adult Living with HIV/AIDS

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Initially I would like to articulate gratitude for my dissertation proposal supervisor, classmates, and my friends whose constant and immense support has been a foundation of continuous inspiration and guidance. Furthermore, this dissertation reflects my opinion and takes on the issue and it does not symbolize the University opinion.

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DECLARATION

'I, (full student name), declare that this dissertation is original work, undertaken by me in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the BSc programme.

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Abstract

HIV is one of a fastest growing disease among the population aged 50 and above. The adult living with HIV/AIDS needs to solve their issues of ongoing treatments and secondary prevention that requires additional efforts. It therefore, has an essential and greater knowledge about the psychosocial and psychological impact of this situation. The condition of HIV is often associated with physical, psychological, emotional stress, and mental disability. This will assist in promoting the health maintenance of HIV individuals. In the United Kingdom and throughout the world, HIV is considered to be a highly stigmatized illness. This critical review was conducted to comprehensively review Psychological Impact of Adult Living with HIV. To fulfil the purpose of the study, a critical literature review of the qualitative and quantitative studies was conducted. Four databases were utilized including CINAHL, INTERNURSE, MEDLINE, and COCHRANE LIBRARY. These data bases and search engines were helpful in academic settings to access and find the articles so as to yield studies relevant to the topic under study. This comprehensive critical review highlights numerous essential issues related to the management and care of the HIV patients. The findings of our study indicates a need to train, and educate, as it is essential to enhance nurses' and patient's awareness on the psychological aspects of HIV patients. Limited knowledge is available about this important area and further research is needed to provide a clear evidence base. Public and management awareness needs to be enhanced for providing appropriate care to the patients of HIV.

Keywords: 'HIV/AIDS stigma', 'Coping', 'HIV', 'Mental health', 'Psychological well-being', 'Depression', 'Psychological impact', and 'adult with HIV/AIDS'

Contents Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSi

DECLARATIONii

Abstractiii

1.0 Introduction1

2.0 Rationale3

3.0 Search Strategy5

4.0 Literature Review: Emergent Themes6

4.1 Anxiety Disorders caused due to HIV7

4.2 Depression10

4.3 Suicidal Thoughts15

5.0 Clinical Practice Implications of Key Findings18

6.0 Conclusion18

References19

Bibliography27

APPENDIX I29

1.0 Introduction

In the medical literature, the AIDS/HIV was initially reported in the year 1981 (Gottlieb et al., 1981). According to Sharp, Hahn (2011), Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is an immune system disease, which destroys the body's capability to fight infections and numerous other life threatening illnesses. It is caused by a virus called as HIV human immunodeficiency virus. It is a sexually transmissible, blood-borne, virus that is typically transmitted via mother-to-child transmission, shared with intravenous drug paraphernalia, and sexual intercourse (Frey & Odle, 2008). The pandemic of the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has spread to almost every country across the globe. According to the UNAIDS Report, (2012) the HIV virus has infected about 34 million individuals ...