Ogbonna-Marks, Theo;
(2022)
An exploration of the lived and educational experiences of young people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a condition that requires medical management, such as daily antiretroviral treatment, which can lead to side effects that can affect physical and mental health. This can impact an individual’s experience of education and friendship. Yet, past research has neglected this area, and little is known about the support mechanisms available. The central focus of this study was an exploration of the lived and educational experiences of young people living with HIV. This was explored through in-depth semi-structured interviews and a qualitative content analysis of the websites of three key charities and organisations who support people living with HIV. A key finding from the interview data relates to how young people make sense of, and ultimately represent, HIV. Receiving a diagnosis of HIV ignited a meaningmaking process for young people, whose representations of the medical condition and their identity developed over time. Additionally, participants alluded to difficulties with physical and mental health, predominantly in relation to taking medication and stigma, which were experienced through interactions with peers, in school, and wider society. However, young people emphasised the support received from family members, peers, teachers, healthcare professionals, and external organisations as fundamental. A qualitative content analysis demonstrated the powerful role of organisations in supporting the development of an understanding of expert knowledge related to HIV, associated psychosocial difficulties, and the facilitation of a sense of group membership. These findings have implications for schools and Educational Psychologists (EPs) as they indicate the need for a higher level of support in schools. It was concluded that EPs may have an important role in advocating for such young people, supporting the school system to consider appropriate provision, delivering training around HIV-friendly schools, and increasing parents’ awareness of the role of EPs.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | An exploration of the lived and educational experiences of young people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2021. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Psychology and Human Development UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education UCL |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10149557 |
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