Balancing perspective: the response to feelings of being condemned with the hepatitis C virus

Abstract

In a recent study of the social and psychological experience of having the hepatitis C virus (HCV), application of grounded theory methodology revealed that the basic social and psychological problem experienced by participants was the feeling of ‘being condemned’. In order to address the problem of being condemned, participants went through the basic social psychological process of ‘balancing perspective’. Using this process, participants moved from a state of HCV‐related depression to one whereby they established and consolidated a balanced life perspective that incorporated the component of HCV. Implications of these findings include the need for heightened HCV awareness and education for the general community, and for healthcare professionals to be educated with regard to the importance of HCV pre‐ and post‐test counselling and of obtaining informed consent prior to HCV testing.