PAPER: Coping Versus Grieving in a ‘Death-accepting’ Society: AIDS-Bereaved Women Living with HIV in Indonesia

Coping Versus Grieving in a ‘Death-accepting’ Society: AIDS-Bereaved Women Living with HIV in Indonesia

Reference:

Damar, A. P., & du Plessis, G. (2010). Coping versus grieving in a ‘death-accepting’society: AIDS-bereaved women living with HIV in Indonesia. Journal of Asian and African studies, 45(4), 424-431.

Alita P Damar, Gretchen du Plessis

First Published August 9, 2010 Other

https://doi.org/10.1177/0021909610373904

Article information

 

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The aim of this study was to understand how AIDS-bereaved women in Indonesia cope in a society where death is believed to be fated. Data analyses were conducted based on the women’s interview transcripts and journal entries. Each of the women experienced at least three traumatic life events. The most challenging experience was learning that they have contracted a disease they regarded as associated with prostitution. Given the short lapse of time between their husbands’ deaths and learning about their seropositivity, biographical disruption appeared to have acted as an ‘analgesic’, while concerns to protect their children seemed to have triggered biographical reinforcement. This phenomenon may have brought about a positive bereavement outcome. Specific counselling programmes for women affected by HIV/AIDS are needed, but emphasis should first be placed on improving their wellbeing and their perception of stigma.

Keywords bereavement counselling, biographical disruption, HIV/AIDS, Indonesia, widows of HIV-positive men