Self-management experiences of youth following the unexpected loss of a family member to HIV

Abstract

Background: Death of a close family member is one of the most traumatic events in a person’s life. The way, in which this loss unfolds, varies from person to person and depends on how close you were with the deceased. It was unclear how youths experienced it to manage themselves during different stages of the bereavement process, after losing a near-family member to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Aim: The aim of this study was to understand the self-management of youth following the unexpected loss of a family member to HIV.

Setting: Khayelitsha, Western Cape province, South Africa.

Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was followed, with an accessible population of youth who lost a family member to HIV. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 purposively selected participants after obtaining written informed consent. The sessions, held with an interview schedule, did not take longer than 45 min to conduct until data saturation was reached. A digital recorder was used and field notes held. Open coding was followed after transcribing interviews.

Results: Individuals had different experiences during different stages of the bereavement process, not necessarily similar or following the same sequence. Individuals had to manage their guilt of being unable to do more before the family member passed away, struggling to realise that they have a future purpose, and hardship having fond memories.

Conclusion: Youth find it difficult to view death as a natural loss of life and to manage themselves after the loss of their loved one to HIV.

Contribution: The context-based information in this study confirms the importance of youth and self-coping and self-continuation to plan, organise and direct their future after the loss of a family member.