Double binds and the reproductive and mothering experiences of HIV-positive women

In spite of the increasing number of young women infected with HIV in the U nited States, little is known about the reproductive and mothering experien ces of these women. The purpose of the grounded-theory research discussed i n this article was to describe the reproductive and mothering experiences o f HIV-positive women. Twenty HIV-positive women participated in 31 in-depth interviews. The grounded-theory method was used for data analysis. A commu nication pattern known in the psychiatric literature as a double bind was d iscovered to be a basic social psychological problem that affected the wome n's experiences with reproduction and mothering. An understanding of the po wer and influence of these double binds permits health care professionals t o plan patient-centered programs and to individualize care specifically for HIV-positive women.