title: Improved health and self-esteem among patients with AIDS in a therapeutic community nursing program.
abstract: This study followed up 41 clients (26 males and 15 females) admitted into a modified therapeutic community (TC) nursing home for substance abusing clients with AIDS at 3 points in time (admission, 8 months into treatment, and after completing residential treatment, 16-18 months post baseline) using the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale and other biological and social indicators, such as CD-4 cell count, body weight, and number of close friends. Analyses of repeated measures found significant linear increases on total self-esteem, CD-4 cell count, and body weight biological indicators, and number of close friends social indicator. Discussion focused on the pertinence of the TC nursing home treatment on clients' internalized behavior self-concept change, as well as positive physical and social change indicators.
authors.affiliation: Project Samaritan AIDS Services, 1401 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452, USA. Killskyre@aol.com
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McGovern
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Corey
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012112:Residential Facilities; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012649:Self Concept; D013714:Tennessee; D013808:Therapeutic Community; D013997:Time Factors