The onset of a chronic disease influences other roles or identities. For example, an HIV or AIDS diagnosis can affect a person's work identity (Bedell, 1997). In this article, we explored how living with HIV/AIDS shapes other identities. Thirty - six individuals living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) participated in semi - structured interviews. Participants' work, sexuality / intimacy, spirituality, advocate, self - esteem, addict/recovering addict and parent identities changed after being diagnosed

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... h HIV or AIDS. In general, respondents' advocate and recovering addict identities emerged and gained salience after being diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. Further research on how HIV/AIDS affects identities and their salience is warranted especially for lower income individuals with a history of chemical dependency.