Affective and behavioral responses of gay and bisexual men to HIV antibody testing

Fifty-six gay and bisexual men were tested for antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus. Twenty-two subjects who tested positive, 22 subjects who tested negative, and 12 subjects who chose not to learn the test results were surveyed by questionnaire after one week and after about six months after testing. Subjects who tested positive and those who tested negative were also compared two weeks after learning results. Subjects who tested positive experienced an increase in anxiety, depression, and AIDS anxiety, and subjects who tested negative experienced a decrease in these feelings after learning results. Subjects who did not learn the results of their tests experienced no change in these feelings. All three groups altered their sexual behavior. Subjects were more likely to tell test results to lovers and to regular sexual partners than to casual sexual partners. Implications for social work practice are discussed.