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“I Created Something New with Something that Had Died”: Photo-Narratives of Positive Transformation Among Women with HIV

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Abstract

A dearth of research describes the strengths of women living with HIV (WLH), yet understanding these strengths can promote women’s well-being and healthy behavior. This analysis explores positive life transformations among WLH through photo-stories. WLH (N = 30) from three U.S. cities participated in a pilot photovoice project to tell their story of HIV. The project included three group meetings, an individual interview, and a public exhibit. Using qualitative strategies of theme and narrative analysis we identified positive transformations in women’s photo-stories. Participants were African American (83 %) and low income (83 %). Women described four major positive transitions in their lives including transformations related to healthfulness, spirituality, self-acceptance, and confidence. Despite challenges, WLH experience positive transformation and growth experiences. Understanding these transformative changes can shed light on women’s motivation to make healthy life changes and thus frame strengths-based interventions for WLH. Photovoice itself is a potential strategy to promote WLH’s strengths and health.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Sciences, University of Missouri, 512 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Michelle Teti

  2. Black Studies, Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, Columbia, MO, USA

    Bryana French

  3. Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Loida Bonney

  4. Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Marguerita Lightfoot

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  1. Michelle Teti
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  4. Marguerita Lightfoot
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Correspondence to Michelle Teti.

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Teti, M., French, B., Bonney, L. et al. “I Created Something New with Something that Had Died”: Photo-Narratives of Positive Transformation Among Women with HIV. AIDS Behav 19, 1275–1287 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-015-1000-7

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