Wright MT; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 244 (abstract no. Th.D.256).
Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe, Berlin, Germany. Fax: +49 30 69008742.
Objective: An exploratory study to test the effects of the AIDS epidemic on the gay community in Germany, with particular attention to the existence of an AIDS survivor syndrome (ASS). A primary goal of the research is for the first time to quantitatively define and test for the existence of this syndrome. Methods: Two hour long interviews were conducted with sixty-four gay-identified men from various regions in Germany, using a largely quantitative research instrument with qualitative components. The instrument and formulation of hypotheses were conceived as a result of an exhaustive search of the American and German literature. The instrument is composed of twenty dimensions, including demographic information; information concerning living situation, personal traits, and sexual behavior (e.g., HIV status, partner status, sexual practices, number of people with HIV/AIDS known); and potential effects of HIV/AIDS (e.g., PTSD, depression, demoralization). Correlations between variables were tested to determine (a) the cluster of variables forming a potential syndrome and (b) the predictors for such a syndrome among gay German men. Results: Initial analysis indicates that a potential AIDS survival syndrome (ASS) may be composed of PTSD symptoms, demoralization, psychosomatic symptoms, guilt, sleep disturbance, lack of energy, sexual problems, and problems with drugs/alcohol. ASS is positively correlated with social need, perceived stigma as a homosexual internalized homophobia, and denial as a coping strategy. It is negatively correlated with age, avoidance as a coping strategy, number of people known with HIV/AIDS, loss of a significant other due to HIV/AIDS, and partner status. Conclusion: Final analysis will be presented at the conference. Initial findings indicate the existence of an AIDS Survivor Syndrome consistent with survivor syndromes seen among other populations which have been exposed to serious trauma. Interventions which have been applied effectively to other traumatized groups need to be adapted to the needs of gay men affected by HIV/AIDS
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Denial (Psychology)
- Disease Outbreaks
- Germany
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Homosexuality
- Homosexuality, Male
- Humans
- Male
- Prejudice
- Sexual Behavior
- Survivors
Other ID:
UI: 102220277
From Meeting Abstracts