Qualitative health research
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The grounded theory study discussed in this article provides an explanatory schema that illuminates the mothering experiences of women living with HIV infection. Eighteen HIV-positive mothers provided 24 in-depth interviews. ⋯ Their defensive posture afforded these mothers and their children some degree of psychological protection. Defensive mothering involved much mental work and included three subprocesses: preventing the spread of HIV, preparing the children for a motherless future, and protecting themselves through thought control.