title: Understanding HIV-related risk among persons with a severe and persistent mental illness: insights from qualitative inquiry.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, New York 13244-2340, USA.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Maisto
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Weinhardt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003142:Communication; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support