Abstract
South Africa is the country with the highest incidence of HIV / AIDS in the world. In order to understand the complex phenomenon experienced by people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa, the diverse cultural landscape, amongst other factors, needs to be explored. In a qualitative study, the authors explore the impact of this phenomenon on marriage. Using psychiatric texts and by employing the method of Discourse Analysis on two case studies, different ways of dealing with HIV/AIDS in marriage and the way it dramatically influences marriage are analysed. The impact of these previously untold stories of HIV/AIDS in marriage is seen especially in the lives of spouses who respond differently when managing this problem. In coping with the trauma of HIV/AIDS, spirituality plays a role. Using the biopsychosocial/spiritual-model within a post-modern view of therapy, the role of spirituality is described. The research, viewed through a culture-sensitive lens, acknowledges the different ethical dilemmas involved. Certain limitations in the research methodology are discussed and the need for further research is highlighted.
Highlights
People infected and affected by HIV/AIDS is a dominant part of the diverse demographic and cultural landscape of South Africa
South Africa is the country with the most people infected with HIV/AIDS in the world (UNAIDS 2005:1)
To place this statistic in perspective, one must understand that nearly five million South Africans are infected with HIV/AIDS (Dreyer 2002:86)
Summary
People infected and affected by HIV/AIDS is a dominant part of the diverse demographic and cultural landscape of South Africa. It is estimated that the highest rate of deaths in South Africa due to HIV/AIDS occurs in the Free State Province (O’Connor 2005:4). These already disturbing data only account for people infected by HIV/AIDS, let alone all the households affected by HIV/AIDS. Taking into account these facts, as well as research already done from different angles, among others the spiritual (Müller 2003:4-5), on the relationship between the family and HIV/AIDS, we are especially interested, amongst others, in the influence of denial and disclosure of HIV/AIDS on marital life. The reason for this interest is to be found in our different working environments of pastoral and psychiatric care where, on the one hand, the importance of marital life is emphasised, but, on the other hand, we are confronted with the disastrous effects of HIV/AIDS on a daily basis
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