Identification of the significant social network of women carrier of HIV/Aids

• Grant number: 10/01992-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2010
• End date: December 31, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Psychological Treatment and Prevention
• Principal Investigator: Carla Guanaes Lorenzi
• Grantee: Juliana Vieira von Zuben
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The discourses about HIV/ Aids have changed along time, as well as its configuration. However, the stigma attributed to the first HIV patients, which were identified as a "risk group", are still associated to people infected by HIV/aids, what can decrease their social interaction and interpersonal relationships. According to the conception that the social network has direct influence over the health/mental health of a person, as well ones health condition influences the maintenance of his/her social network, the aim of this study is to reflect on how HIV/aids can affect women´s significant social network. The social network will be investigated considering four aspects of women's narratives: family, work, friendships and comunnity relationships. It will be invited to participate on this research women diagnosed with HIV/aids that are in ambulatory health treatment at the Special Unity of Treatment of Infectious Disease of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo. The data collection evolves the development of interviews, which aim to identify the features of the women´s social networks, considering their structural dimensions; their functions and the quality of the affective bond between people. The analysis of the interviews will be made through qualitative proceedings of thematic analysis, considering the contributions of social constructionist movement in Psychology.