Understanding HIV-related risk among persons with a severe and persistent mental illness: insights from qualitative inquiry. J Nerv Ment Dis 1999 Apr;187(4):208-16
Date
04/30/1999Pubmed ID
10221553Pubmed Central ID
PMC2547347DOI
10.1097/00005053-199904000-00003Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0032900162 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 36 CitationsAbstract
We conducted focus groups with 36 men and women who were receiving treatment for a severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) to learn more about the social context of their intimate relationships and the psychological antecedents of their sexual decision-making. Qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts indicated that a) sexual activity tended to be unplanned and occurred in social networks where HIV risk may be elevated, b) HIV-related knowledge was superficial and insufficient to guide safer sexual behavior, c) participants' HIV risk perception was often based upon factors unrelated to their sexual behaviors, and d) communication skills for HIV risk reduction were poor. We discuss how qualitative methods yielded insights not readily available through quantitative approaches and offer recommendations for HIV risk assessment and prevention among persons with an SPMI.
Author List
Gordon CM, Carey MP, Carey KB, Maisto SA, Weinhardt LSAuthor
Lance S. Weinhardt MS,PhD Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Community and Behavioral Health Promotion in the Joseph. J. Zilber School of Public Health department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAttitude
Chronic Disease
Communication
Condoms
Female
HIV Infections
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Mental Disorders
Middle Aged
Motivation
Risk-Taking
Severity of Illness Index
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Partners
Social Support
