This is an exploratory study with a qualitative approach, which looks at the adolescent process with HIV/AIDS. The purpose is to identify how the adolescent process occurs, from the perspective of these teenagers and their family caregivers. The investigation was performed in Porto Alegre, RS between May and July 2005, and the subjects were four adolescents and three caregivers. Data were collected by means of interviews, which were subject to the content analysis technique. The study revealed that both teenagers and family caregivers did not show concern with the changes typical of the period, especially regarding sexuality questions. Yet, the underlying diagnosis and coping with HIV remain in the family core in order to protect these agents against the stigma of the disease.
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; adolescent; family; caregivers