TY - JOUR
T1 - HPV infection as an occasion for personal and relational growth
AU - Kosenko, Kami A.
AU - Harvey-Knowles, Jacquelyn
AU - Craig, Elizabeth
PY - 2015/1/1
Y1 - 2015/1/1
N2 - Background: Post-traumatic growth, defined as the human capacity for positive growth in the face of negative life events such as disaster and disease, is associated with an array of positive psychological outcomes. Although HPV is increasingly prevalent and the diagnosis is described as traumatic, little is known about the potential for post-traumatic growth in the context of HPV infection and diagnosis. Methods: Twenty-five women with HPV participated in interviews and described benefits associated with HPV infection and diagnosis. Results: Five aspects of the HPV experience— serving as a witness, finding a worthy partner, forming/sustaining valued relationships, increasing self-confidence, and developing consciousness of one’s body and physical health—were characterized as beneficial. Conclusion: Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed, and future directions are suggested.
AB - Background: Post-traumatic growth, defined as the human capacity for positive growth in the face of negative life events such as disaster and disease, is associated with an array of positive psychological outcomes. Although HPV is increasingly prevalent and the diagnosis is described as traumatic, little is known about the potential for post-traumatic growth in the context of HPV infection and diagnosis. Methods: Twenty-five women with HPV participated in interviews and described benefits associated with HPV infection and diagnosis. Results: Five aspects of the HPV experience— serving as a witness, finding a worthy partner, forming/sustaining valued relationships, increasing self-confidence, and developing consciousness of one’s body and physical health—were characterized as beneficial. Conclusion: Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed, and future directions are suggested.
KW - Coping behaviors
KW - Human papillomavirus
KW - Interpersonal relations
KW - Qualitative research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84961629609&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84961629609&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1179/1753807615Y.0000000020
DO - 10.1179/1753807615Y.0000000020
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84961629609
SN - 1753-8068
VL - 8
SP - 197
EP - 206
JO - Journal of Communication in Healthcare
JF - Journal of Communication in Healthcare
IS - 3
ER -