Challenges of Work

Abstract

Because of recent advances in medications and treatment regimens, persons with HIV disease are maintaining better health status and living longer. Thus, greater opportunities exist for these individuals to either continue their current employment or return to the world of work. The purpose of this qualitative study was to provide in-depth descriptions of related vocational experiences of persons with HIV. Data were collected from eight focus groups consisting of a diverse sample of people living with HIV (N = 93). Results support the need for counseling psychologists and other mental health professionals to address real and perceived barriers, both internal and contextual, while also becoming advocates for persons with HIV who want to work. A model derived from qualitative data analysis provides visual representation of the work experiences of people living with HIV, for potential application in assessment and treatment.

HIV Status Disclosure in the Workplace: Positive and Stigmatizing Experiences of Health Care Workers Living with HIV

“…Based on our findings and current literature on HIV in the workplace, we recommend specialized vocational counseling services for PLWH (Degroote et al, 2014;Worthington et al, 2012). Such counseling could provide guidance with respect to disclosure decisions (Maguire et al, 2008;Worthington et al, 2012). We recommend that these services emphasize that disclosure of HIV status at work is a choice, even in the health care sector (Chaudoir et al, 2011;Henry et al, 2015).…”

“…Also, fears of ''being discovered'' at work and the corresponding cognitive burden of concealment reported by participants in our study have been documented in the extensive literature on concealing stigmatized identities (Chaudoir et al, 2011;Pachankis, 2007) and in studies on disclosure or concealment at work (Braveman, Levin, Kielhofner, & Finlayson, 2006). For example, in a grounded theory study with 93 PLWH living in the United States (Maguire et al, 2008), participants reported anxiety about concealing and hypervigilant behaviors to maintain concealment at work.…”

“…The effects of workplace discrimination are significant. Anticipated and enacted workplace discrimination has impeded the search for work, limited employment opportunities, and has been found to be related to a risk of employment loss (Maguire et al, 2008;Werth et al, 2008). In the workplace itself, perceived stigma has been found to reduce organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior while increasing organizational cynicism (Bashir, 2011).…”

“…In the workplace itself, perceived stigma has been found to reduce organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior while increasing organizational cynicism (Bashir, 2011). It also, expectedly, has inhibited the disclosure of HIV status at work, thus limiting access to adequate supports at work (Degroote et al, 2014;Maguire et al, 2008;Werth et al, 2008;Worthington et al, 2012).…”

Posttraumatic Growth and HIV: A Study on Associations of Stigma and Social Support

“…Stigma is particularly felt among individuals living with HIV for four reasons: (a) HIV is often viewed as the bearer's responsibility; (b) HIV is seen as permanent and fatal; (c) HIV is contagious; and (d) HIV is sometimes accompanied by physical changes, especially for individuals with AIDS (Brown, Macintyre, & Trujillo, 2003). For PLWHA, the presence of HIV-related stigma, or societal disapproval geared at PLWHA, directly affects quality of life (Maguire et al, 2008). Furthermore, stigma serves as a complicating barrier toward providing effective services to individuals living with HIV, and it often undermines the work mental health professionals are doing to treat clients (Brown et al, 2003;Steward et al, 2008).…”