Self-Care Management of Anxiety and Fear in HIV Disease

• Published in: The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 21 - 29
• Main Authors: Kemppainen, Jeanne K., Holzemer, William L., Nokes, Kathleen, Eller, Lucille Sanzero, Corless, Inge B., Bunch, Eli Haugen, Kirksey, Kenn M., Goodroad, Brian K., Portillo, Carmen J., Chou, Fang-Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2003; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Adult; AIDS; Anti-HIV Agents - therapeutic use; Anxiety; Anxiety - prevention & control; Anxiety - psychology; Attitude to Health; Avoidance Learning; Complementary Therapies; critical incident technique; Disease management; Educational Status; Fear; Fear & phobias; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; HIV; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - psychology; Humans; Male; nursing; Relaxation Therapy; Self Care - methods; Self Care - psychology; self-care; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Task Performance and Analysis; United States; United States; anxiety; AIDS; nursing; critical incident technique; HIV; self-care
• ISSN: 1055-3290; 1552-6917
• DOI: 10.1177/1055329002250958

The purpose of this study is to describe the frequency and correlates of self-reported anxiety and fear and the self-care behaviors used to manage these symptoms. Data were collected in a convenience sample (N = 422) of HIV-positive subjects. Demographic and disease-related variables were compared for those who did and did not report anxiety and fear. Anxiety and fear were the most frequently reported symptoms (17.3%, n = 73). There were significant differences on gender, level of education, and the use of antiretroviral medications. Self-care behaviors (n = 212) for anxiety and fear were grouped into seven categories: using activities for distraction = 25%, talking to others = 21%, using alternative/complementary therapies = 18%, taking prescribed medications = 10%, using self-talk = 9%, using substances = 9%, and using avoidance behaviors = 7%. Anxiety and fear are commonly experienced by people with HIV/AIDS. Self-care strategies are imperative in the management of these clinical manifestations.