Reflections of affect in studies of information behavior in HIV/AIDS contexts: An exploratory quantitative content analysis

Abstract

Information seeking and use are critically important for people living with HIV/AIDS, and for those who care for people with HIV/AIDS. In addition, the HIV/AIDS context is characterized by significant affective or emotional aspects, including stigma, fear, and coping. Thus, studies of information behavior in this context should be expected to take account of emotional variables.In information behavior scholarship, emotional variables have been marginalized in favor of a focus on cognitive aspects, although in recent years greater attention is being paid to the affective realm. This exploratory study used quantitative content analysis to explore the degree to which information behavior studies across a range of disciplines actually include affect or emotion in their analyses. Findings suggest that most studies pay little or no attention to these variables, and that attention has not changed over the past 20 years. Those studies that do account for emotion, however, provide excellent examples of information behavior research that can lead the way for future work.

Health-information needs of HIV-positive adults in Latin America and the Caribbean: an integrative review of the literature

“…Similar to this study, a review conducted in Africa found that patients want a better understanding of their medications and that stigma may prevent access to information (Patel & Dowse, 2013). Other studies pertaining to HIV also found that information regarding healthy lifestyles, emotional health, or general wellness issues would be useful to patients (Anderson et al, 2012; Huber & Cruz, 2000; Julien & Fourie, 2015). Across the international literature, patients identified different sources of information but generally indicated that providers are either the best sources or one of the biggest barriers to effective information exchange.…”

Factors Associated with Health Information Seeking, Processing, and Use Among HIV Positive Adults in the Dominican Republic

“…Some of these barriers may include: lack of educational infrastructure, limited financial resources, unavailability of information, cultural differences between patients and providers, spiritual beliefs, and transportation restrictions [14, 16, 17]. In the context of HIV, information seeking and use is further complicated by negative emotional responses to a positive diagnosis and widespread stigma, among other psychosocial factors [1, 7, 18–20]. Despite the importance of information in the battle against HIV, studies pertaining to health information seeking, processing, and use are missing from many regions.…”

The experiences of school principals of teachers living with HIV

“…Principals do not receive sufficient support or training to cope with the problems they are facing (Buchel and Hoberg, 2007;Aggleton et al, 2011). Because HIV affects not only the physical well-being of the organisation, but also its psychological health, it is the most complicated epidemic with which to deal (Julien and Fourie, 2015). As Van Dyk and Van Dyk (2012, p.464) emphasise, one of the consequences of an unhealthy workforce is "low staff morale with employees resenting taking on or refusing to take on additional responsibilities for colleagues who are sick".…”