A phenomenological study of the experience of receiving a positive HIV diagnosis

Abstract

The experience of receiving a positive HIV diagnosis was studied using the qualitative research method of phenomenology. Three individuals who had received a positive diagnosis were interviewed in open-ended question format. The interviews were audiotape recorded and transcribed to hard copy. The interviews were then analyzed using Colaizzi's steps of phenomenological research analysis. The following eight theme categories were -identified: The Gavel Falls,Numbing the Pain, Facing the Pain, How I Got Here, Reactions of Others, Facing the Consequences, Help From God, and Going Beyond. The essential structure of the experience demonstrated moving through the experience to be a process which allowed the participants to transcend to a new level of personal awareness.