| Abstract: | Amidst the destruction of AIDS, a glimmer of hope, not necessarily for a cure but for psychological well-being, exists among many persons afflicted with the virus. A large number of HIV-infected individuals have sought and attained emotional well-being despite carrying the virus and its associated stigmas. In fact, emotional growth may not necessarily be hindered, but rather enhanced by undergoing a trauma such as an HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Some HIV-positive individuals have stated that through the process of enduring the hardships of AIDS, such as revealing their condition to others and coping with the physical repercussions of the virus, they have experienced transcendence and growth. By learning from the experiences disclosed by some of those afflicted with the virus, we, as a society, can infuse value, meaning, and growth into our own lives. |
