Ezekiel O. Aruoture, Abel C. Obosi
Adolescents living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa face significant psychosocial and structural challenges that can shape their future. Despite these barriers, many maintain strong aspirations and develop adaptive strategies to achieve long-term goals. This study explored how adolescents living with HIV construct their future orientation amidst the psychological burden of living with the diagnosis. An exploratory qualitative design was employed through six focus group discussions (FGDs) with 42 adolescents (17 males, 25 females; aged 13-19 years, mean age 16.14) attending Operation Triple Zero. The study was conducted at Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. Four major themes emerged: (1) emotional reactions, participants reported fear, anxiety, emotional suppression, and concern about stigma; (2) future aspirations, adolescents expressed strong desires to pursue altruistic and justice-driven careers shaped by personal experiences; (3) strategies for achieving goals, educational commitment, medication adherence, and reframing HIV as manageable facilitated progress; (4) hope and resilience, participants maintained optimism, self-belief, and adaptive coping despite uncertainty. Findings suggest that adolescents living with HIV demonstrate strong future orientation and resilience. Strengths-based interventions that reinforce hope, support educational and career aspirations, and normalise antiretroviral adherence may improve psychosocial outcomes in this population.