Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

HIV and serious mental illness: Reducing the risk

  • Articles
  • Published:
Community Mental Health Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Persons with SMI residing in community mental health center group homes received an educational intervention program on HIV/AIDS. As with virtually all such approaches provided for this population, the intervention was generalized from programs used with other populations, for example, users of intravenous drugs, gay men, and adolescents. Assessment of pre- and postintervention knowledge indicated no increase in accurate information. Further, consumers were initially uncertain regarding their risk for HIV infection; this attitude, too, remained unchanged. The research design employed did not compare persons with SMI with a normative sample receiving the same information, and assessed with the same instruments, limiting hypotheses about the generalizability of existing interventions. However, the data seems to suggest its potential inefficacy. Several findings are germane to effective educational intervention techniques.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baer, J.W., Dwyer, P.C., & Lewitter-Koehler, S. (1988). Knowledge about AIDS among psychiatric inpatients.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 39, 986–988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin, J.D., & Baldwin, J.I. (1988). Factors affecting AIDS-related sexual risk-taking behavior among college students.The Journal of Sex Research, 25, 181–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baum, A., & Nesselhof, S.E.A. (1988). Psychological research and the prevention, etiology, and treatment of AIDS.American Psychologist, 43, 900–906.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouton, R.A., Gallaher, P.E., Garlinghouse, P.A., Leal, T., Rosenstein, L.D., & Young, R.K. (1987). Scales for measuring fear of AIDS and homophobia.Journal of Personality Assessment, 51, 606–614.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blum, H.L. (1974).Planning for health: Development and application of social change theory New York: Human Sciences Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brady, S., Carmen, E., & Pillard, R. (Speakers) (1988).Sex, AIDS prevention, and the chronically mentally ill (Cassette Recording No. AD0001752). New York, NY: National Audio Video Transcript, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmen, E., & Brady, S.M. (1990). AIDS risk prevention for the chronic mentally ill.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 6, 652–659.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control. (1991, May),HIV/AIDS surveillance report, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emmons, C.A., Joseph, J.G., Kessler, R.C., & Wortman, C.B. (1986). Psychosocial predictors of reported behavior change in homosexual men at risk for AIDS.Health Education Quarterly, 13, 331–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, J.D. (1988). Possible effects of reference group-based social influence on AIDS-risk behavior and AIDS prevention.American Psychologist, 43, 914–920.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallo, R.C. (1987). The AIDS virus.Scientific American, 256, 47–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goisman, R.M., Kent, A.B., Montgomery, E.C., Cheevers, M.M., & Goldfinger, S.M. (1991). AIDS education for patients with chronic mental illness.Community Mental Health Journal, 27, 189–197.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, D.C. (1990).HIV and mental health institutions (Report No. 4). Washington, D.C.: National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, D.C., & Ardinger, R.S. (1990).Building coalitions to provide HIV legal advocacy services: Utilizing existing disability models (Report No. 5). Washington, D.C.: National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, D.C., & Trivelli, L.U. (1990).HIV education for persons with mental disabilities (Report No. 1). Washington, D.C.: National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffery, R.W. (1989). Risk behaviors and health: Contrasting individual and population perspectives.American Psychologist, 45, 1194–1202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joseph, J.G., Montgomery, S.B., Emmons, C.A., Kessler, R.C., Ostrow, D.G., Wortman, C.B., O'Brien, K., Eller, M., & Eshleman, S. (1987). Magnitude and determinants of behavioral risk-reduction: A longitudinal analysis of a cohort at risk for AIDS.Psychology and Health, 1, 73–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, J.A., St. Lawrence, J.S., & Brasfield, T.L. (1991). Predictors of vulnerability to AIDS risk behavior relapse.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59, 163–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, J.A., St. Lawrence, J.S., Hood, H.V., & Brasfield, T.L. (1989). Behavioral intervention to reduce AIDS activities.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 60–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klovdahl, A.S. (1985). Social networks and the spread of infectious diseases: The AIDS example.Social Science and Medicine, 21, 1203–1216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krebs, D. (1983). Nursing in primary health care.International Nursing Review, 30, 141–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauer-Listhaus, B., & Watterson, J. (1988). A psychoeducational group for HIV-positive patients on a psychiatric service.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 39, 776–777.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magura, S., Shapiro, J.L., Grossman, J.I., & Lipton, D.S. (1989). Education/support groups for AIDS prevention with at risk clients.Social Casework, 70, 10–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manning, D.T., Barenberg, N., Gallese, L., & Rice, J.C. (1989). College studients' knowledge health beliefs about AIDS: Implications for education and prevention.Journal of American College Health, 37, 254–259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, J.L. (1986). AIDS risk reduction recommendations and sexual behavior patterns among gay men: A multifaceted categorical approach for assessing change.Health Education Quarterly, 13, 347–358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mausner, J.S., & Bahn, A.K. (1974).Epidemiology: An introductory text. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • May, R.M., & Anderson, R.M. (1987). Transmission dynamics of HIV infection.Nature 326, 137–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monet, G. (Producer).AIDS: Everything you and your family need to know...but were afraid to ask [videocassette] New York, NY: Journal Graphics.

  • Price-Greathouse, J., & Trice, A.D. (1986). Chance health orientation and AIDS information seeking.Psychological Reports, 59, 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renan, S. (Producer & Director). (1986).AIDS: What everyone needs to know [videocassette]. Los Angeles, CA: Churchill Films.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sacks, M.H., Perry, S., Graver, R., & Shindledecker, R. (1990). Self-reported HIV-related risk behaviors in acute psychiatric inpatients: A pilot study.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 41, 1253–1255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sacks, M.H., Silberstein, C., Weiler, P., & Perry, S. (1990). HIV-related risk factors in acu psychiatric inpatients.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 41, 449–451.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, K., Bauman, L.J., Christ, G.H., & Krown, S. (1988). Patterns of change in sexual behavior among gay men in New York City.Archives of Sexual Behavior, 17, 481–489.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, K. & Gibson, W.C. (1988). Barriers to the modification of sexual behavior among heterosexuals at risk for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.Journal of Medicine, 88, 66–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silvestre, A.J., Lyter, D.W., Valdiserri, R.O., Huggins, J., & Rinaldo, C.R., (1989) Factors related to seroconversion among homo- and bisexual men after attending a risk-reduction educational session.AIDS, 3, 647–650.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simkins, L., & Eberhage, M.G. (1984). Attitudes toward AIDS, herpes II, and Toxic Shock Syndromes.Psychological Reports, 55, 779–786.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simkins, L., & Kushner, A. (1986). Attitudes toward AIDS, Herpes II, and Toxic Shock Syndrome: Two years later.Psychological Reports, 59, 883–891.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sladyk, K. (1990). Teaching safe sex practices to psychiatric patients.American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 44, 284–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stall, R., Coates, T.J., & Hoff, C. (1988). Behavioral risk reduction for HIV infection among gay and bisexual men: A review of results from the United States.American Psychologist, 43, 878–885.

    Google Scholar 

  • Temoshok, L., Sweet, D.M., & Zich, J. (1987). The three city comparison of the public's knowledge and attitudes about AIDS.Psychology and Health, 1, 43–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Valanis, B. (1986).Epidemiology in nursing and health care. Norwalk, CT: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wachter, O., & Smilow, L. (Producers).Sex, drugs, & AIDS [videocassette]. New York, NY: O.D.N. Productions.

  • Zimbardo, P.G., & Leippe, M.R. (1991).The psychology of attitude change and social influence. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zonana, H., Norko, M., & Stier, D. (1988). The AIDS patient on the psychiatric unit: Ethical and legal issues.Psychiatric Annals, 18, 587–593.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. AIDS Task Force, Inc., P.O. Box 13527, 46869-3527, Fort Wayne, IN

    Jim A. Cates MA

  2. Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, USA

    Linda L. Graham MSN, RN, C

Authors
  1. Jim A. Cates MA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Linda L. Graham MSN, RN, C
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This research was supported by a Biomedical Research Support Grant, AIDS Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cates, J.A., Graham, L.L. HIV and serious mental illness: Reducing the risk. Community Ment Health J 29, 35–47 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00760629

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00760629

Keywords

Search

Navigation