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Working with denial: a critical aspect in AIDS risk intervention
1Hunter College School of Social Work, New York, NY 10021.
Social Work in Health Care
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Denial can hinder education for individuals engaging in AIDS risk behaviors. Addressing denial is crucial before implementing effective interventions for sexual risk reduction.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Anxiety and denial are psychological defense mechanisms.
- AIDS risk behaviors can be influenced by unconscious conflicts.
- Effective intervention for AIDS risk requires addressing psychological barriers.
Observation:
- Denial impedes educational efforts and confrontation with clients.
- Denial supports the acting out of unconscious conflicts through sexual behavior.
- Clinical cases illustrate the role of denial in AIDS risk behavior.
Findings:
- Denial acts as a significant barrier to AIDS risk education.
- Working with denial is a necessary precursor to intervention.
- The mechanism of denial is linked to unconscious conflicts and sexual behavior.
Implications:
- Therapeutic interventions must first address denial.
- Understanding denial mechanisms can improve public health strategies.
- This approach is applicable to heterosexual and homosexual populations at risk for AIDS.