Schaefer A, Paar G, Siedenbiedel W, Breukel M, Noack R, Stacker KH; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1993 Jun 6-11; 9: 525 (abstract no. PO-B35-2338).
Institute of Medical Psychology, University Clinic of Essen, Germany.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of a short-term group therapy on psychological and psycho-neurological parameters in a prospective design. METHODS: N = 15 HIV-positive (experimental group, EG) and N = 26 (controls) HIV-positive WR 1-3, homo-/bisexual men were examined three times (t1, t2, t3) in four-month intervals. Between t1 and t2 Ss of EG participated in a supportive-cognitive group therapy of 17 sessions. The two-hour sessions included relaxation-training (PMR). Three sessions included information concerning nutrition, medical treatment and psychosocial services. RESULTS: At t1 Ss of EG were more depressive (BDI), had fewer stable relationships and lower general social support than the controls. However, they informed 'significant others' more often and had better HIV-specific social support. Compared to t1, the EG was less anxious (STAI) and depressive (BDI), showed less suppression of emotion (FKV) and had better general support at t2. In addition, the EG had more stable sexual partners, fewer self-blame about HIV-infection and got better HIV-specific social support at t3, whereas the controls nearly remained unchanged in all psychological dimensions over time. When Ss of the EG were subdivided by coping-competence, badcopers gained most. In addition, changes in acceptance of homosexuality and fear of coming-out (NIEH), coping (FKV) and defense-level (SD) were registered. At t3, the EG had higher internal health beliefs (KKG), got better HIV-specific social support and showed higher improvement in coping-competence than the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term group therapy can be helpful for asymptomatic HIV-positive, homosexual and bisexual men with low general social support, especially for badcopers.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adaptation, Psychological
- Anxiety
- Bisexuality
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Homosexuality
- Humans
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Personality Inventory
- Psychotherapy, Group
- Sexual Partners
- Social Support
Other ID:
UI: 102205353
From Meeting Abstracts