Stress and Adaptation among Families with HIV/AIDS Persons: A Study in Phuket province, Thailand

Abstract

Stress and adaptation are challenging for HIV/AIDS persons and their families. What and how does the family and HIV/AIDS person get stress and adaptation? Thus, the descriptive research aimed at exploring stress and adaptation among families with HIV/ AIDS persons in Phuket province, Thailand. The samle was calculated and systematic sampling that consisted of 80 persons (40 HIV/AIDS persons/40 family members). The study tools were developed based on the family resiliency theory which comprised of questionnaires and interview guidelines. The quantitative data was analyzed by descriptive statistics. Content analysis was done for the interviewed data. The result showed that most HIV/AIDS persons and families had stress at the medium level (52.5%, 65%) respectively. Personal adaptation was at a high level (x ̄ = 3.87, SD=0.43), and family adaptation was at a high level (x ̄ =4.17, SD=0.67). The interviewed data displayed the HIV/AIDS persons’ stressors were “being gossiped about.” For families, the stressor was “seeing a person get sick frequently.” The family’s vulnerability was poor economic status. They were confused and sad. Their resources comprised only family members and health personnel. They performed healthcare functioning and sought more resources for caring the ill persons. In conclusion, the findings displayed that both families and HIV/AIDS persons were stress. Their stressors were being gossiped about personal illnesses. Most of them were supported by their own families and health personnel. Therefore, the findings should be used to create effective interventions for enhancing personal and family adaptation, especially, increasing resources and supportive system.