Regaining a Valued Self: The Process of Adaptation to Living with Genital Herpes

Abstract

This study describes the experience of young adults' adaptation to living with the chronic sexually transmitted disease genital herpes. Interview data from 70 adults with a diagnosis of genital herpes were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Findings from the study indicated that the process of adaptation to living with genital herpes involves regaining a valued sense of self. The process occurs in three stages. In the first stage, young adults strive to protect themselves from devaluation due to the stigmatization connected with the disease. In the second stage, they try to renew their sense of self by reaching out and balancing their lives. In the third stage, they adopt a management style that enables them to preserve their sense of self Implications for further research and for practice are suggested.