Abstract

This study explored the process of meaning-making in the lives of seropositive women. Eight women who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS were asked to describe their process of making meaning while living with a chronic, progressive, and life threatening disease. Qualitative analysis was used to develop concepts from the data gathered from in-depth, open-ended interviews. ;The findings indicated that all 8 participants define their process of constructing meaning in a developmentally progressive and circular manner. The participants described their process of meaning-making from prediagnosis, the crisis of HIV/AIDS, and through post- diagnosis. Themes, categories, and sub-categories that emerged are described