Disclosing HIV seropositivity to significant others.
OBJECTIVE
To examine gay men's patterns of self-disclosure of HIV seropositivity to friends, lovers, relatives and colleagues; to assess the effects of disclosure; and to identify reasons for not disclosing to particular individuals.


METHODS
Longitudinal questionnaire survey of gay men.


METHODS
A total of 163 HIV-positive men participating in the AIDS Behavioral Research Project, a longitudinal study of San Francisco gay men, completed questionnaires about their self-disclosure patterns, health status, and psychological well-being.


RESULTS
HIV-positive men were most likely to disclose their status to lovers and closest gay friends. Asymptomatic men were less likely to disclose to relatives and colleagues than symptomatic men. Friends and lovers were rated as responding more helpfully than relatives and colleagues. Men who perceived their significant others as responding more helpfully were less depressed and anxious currently and 1 year later. A variety of reasons were given for not disclosing, including not wanting to worry others, fear of discrimination, fear of disrupting relationships, and emotional self-protection.


CONCLUSIONS
While disclosure can have advantages for both HIV-positive individuals and their significant others, HIV-positive individuals must be assured that the benefits of doing so will outweigh the potential costs.
Hays
R B
RB
Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco 94105.
McKusick
L
L
Pollack
L
L
Hilliard
R
R
Hoff
C
C
Coates
T J
TJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D030881:Disclosure; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D033062:Friends; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure