A Qualitative Study of the Social Relationship Experiences Across the Life Course Among Black/African American Women Aging With HIV in the South

Elizabeth D Moore; Courtney Caiola; Michael Cary; Janice Humphreys

doi:10.1097/JNC.0000000000000450

A Qualitative Study of the Social Relationship Experiences Across the Life Course Among Black/African American Women Aging With HIV in the South

J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2024 Jan 23. doi: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000450. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Elizabeth D Moore^{1

2

3

4}, Courtney Caiola^{1

2

3

4}, Michael Cary^{1

2

3

4}, Janice Humphreys^{1

2

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Elizabeth D. Moore, PhD, MSc, FNP-BC, ACRN, was a doctoral student in the School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, at the time the research was completed. She is now an Instructor, Department of Medicine, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
² Courtney Caiola, PhD, MPH, RN, CNE, is an Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
³ Michael Cary, PhD, RN, FAAN is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
⁴ Janice Humphreys, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor Emerita in the School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

PMID: 38261540
DOI: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000450

Abstract

Black/African American women continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV, facing multiple intersecting challenges that influence how they age and effectively manage their health. Supportive social relationships have been shown to help mitigate challenges and improve health in women with HIV, but little is known about Black/African American women's perceptions of social relationships. Guided by Life Course Theory, in-depth life history interviews were conducted with 18 Black/African American women aged 50+ years. In older adulthood, most important relationships among Black/African American women were with their adult children and grandchildren, intimate partners, God, and friends from the community. Factors that influenced relationships over time included: (a) a desire to build a community; (b) a need to empower oneself and give back; (c) yearning to engage the younger generation; and (d) battling HIV stigma. Older Black/African American women with HIV played a critical role in the education of the younger generation.