Group intervention with HIV seropositive patients and their partners

Persons with HIV infection and AIDS may have complex psychosocial needs. Many find it difficult to share fears and feelings so are unlikely to join traditional support groups, although they lack crucial social support. As they frequently report a need for more information it was proposed to use an 'information' group as an opportunity to provide not only information but also social support. Fourteen homosexual men with HIV infection or their partners, who lacked social support were recruited to a closed 'information' group. Sessions comprised an informative talk by an invited speaker, and a discussion. The group was evaluated after 12 sessions and again 16 months later. The group was positively evaluated by a majority of members. It appeared beneficial that the group was closed, and that there was a mixture of people. It proved important that the sessions were structured with an informative topic to stimulate conversation. Follow up indicated that long term coping skills had been fostered. In the short term, however, the group did not reduce the need for individual counselling. It is suggested that group intervention is better seen as an adjunct to individual counselling rather than as an alternative.