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The Psychosocial Impact of HIV Infection in Gay Men

A Controlled Investigation and Factors Associated with Psychiatric Morbidity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Jose Catalan*
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, Charing Cross & Westminster Medical School, Westminster Hospital, Horseferry Road, London SW1
Ivana Klimes
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Warneford Hospital, Oxford
Alison Bond
Affiliation:
Oxford University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford
John Gallwey
Affiliation:
The Harrison Department, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford
*
Correspondence

Abstract

This study aimed to establish the prevalence of psychosocial problems in gay men with HIV infection, and to identify factors associated with psychological morbidity. The study was a cross-sectional controlled investigation, which included 24 HIV seropositive and 25 seronegative gay men. Outcome measures included current psychological status and psychiatric history; coping and health beliefs; and social and sexual functioning. Seropositive subjects had worse scores on the PSE total score, and greater sexual difficulties. There were also differences in health beliefs and coping. Psychological morbidity was associated with hopelessness, previous psychiatric illness, symptomatic HIV disease, and low self-esteem.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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