Health professionals can gain a bet

Health professionals can gain a better understanding of key elements of social
support by examining reasons why people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (PLWH) exclude individuals from their chosen families
(ie, families of choice). Our study identified reasons why PLWH excluded specific individuals
from their chosen families. This mixed-method design was drawn from a larger study of
150 PLWH, in which 94 self-reported why they excluded individuals from their chosen
families. Physical and emotional distance (n = 64; 68.1%); nonsupport, nonacceptance, and
harm (n = 25; 26.6%); conditional caring and trust (n = 22; 23.4%); and no blood/familial
relationship (n = 13; 13.8%) were the reasons PLWH excluded individuals from their chosen
families. Demographic and personal characteristics were unrelated to these themes, supporting
the conclusion that reasons for excluding family members are universal and not dependent on
particular participant characteristics. For chosen family relationships to develop and exist, these
findings emphasize the value of physical and emotional contact between individuals.