Shifts in Meaning, Purpose, and Values Following a Diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection Among Gay Men

Abstract

Twenty gay men who were HIV infecled were interviewed and a qualitative methodology was utilized to understand how they found meaning, purpose and value in their lives as they confronted a life-threatening illness. The authors examined six areas of potential meaning derived deductively from thanatology literature and inductively from piloting procedures: (1) relationships (intimacy with others); (2) self-discovery; (3) spiritual fulfillment; (4) acquiring knowledge; (5) aesthetic appreciation/iivolvernent; and (6) contributing to others or society. Nearly all of the participants (85%) reported that their overall sense of meaning, purpose and value had changed since being diagnosed seropositive. The greatest number of this subgroup reported that a positwe change had occurred. Three persons (15%) felt their HIV status adversely affected their sense of meaning of life. The factor most likely to account for the positive shifts in meaning came from the realization that their time of living was limited. Relatio...