Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Garth den Heyer

Abstract

HIV/AIDS and substance abuse among older adults is a significant national and worldwide problem. As older HIV-positive adults continue to age, they will have problems with managing their HIV/AIDS, comorbidity disorders, and quality of life, which can lead to substance abuse. The purpose of this descriptive, phenomenological study was to explore the socio-risk behaviors, specific treatment preferences, and daily lived experiences of adults aged 50 years and older living with HIV/AIDS and substance use in a large northeastern urban city. The conceptual framework used to ground this qualitative study was Engel's biopsychosocial model. The purposeful sampling method was used to select six older adults living with HIV/AIDS and substance use in a large northeastern urban city. Data collection methods included in-depth, open-ended telephone interviews. Themes were generated using thematic examination approaches, which involve using a standard multi-step process to analyze data, create codes, and develop themes from the participants' interviews. Findings revealed the biopsychosocial factors of illness impacting older adults that stem from the syndemic associations of HIV/AIDS and substance use. Future action research is warranted to investigate the role of reducing or halting the progression of HIV/AIDS and substance use among older adults. This study promotes social changes in professional practice by providing social, behavioral, and health care providers with a more in-depth understanding of the psychological factors, social circumstances, and health consequences impacting older adults that stem from the syndemic associations of HIV/AIDS disease and substance use.

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