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AIDS and murder

Decisions regarding maintenance of confidentiality versus the duty to protect

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Law and Human Behavior

Abstract

This study examined whether mental health professionals would differentiate, in terms of confidentiality and a duty to protect, persons with AIDS (PWAs) who refused to inform their partners from persons with homicidal intent. Six hundred professionals were randomly assigned one of four hypothetical therapy vignettes. In each vignette, the client had either AIDS or homicidal intent. The relationship of the client to the third party was either heterosexual or homosexual. PWAs were rated as being significantly more dangerous than persons with homicidal intent. Persons with homicidal intent were significantly more likely to receive increased intervention and their partners were significantly more likely to be warned. PWAs were rated significantly more negatively on most adjective rating scales.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alaska Area Native Health Service, A-DBH, 250 East Gambell, 99501, Anchorage, AK

    Tracy M. Stewart

  2. University of Virginia, Virginia, USA

    N. Dickon Reppucci

Authors
  1. Tracy M. Stewart
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  2. N. Dickon Reppucci
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Additional information

This research was completed while the first author was a doctoral candidate at the University of Virginia. This study does not reflect, in any way, the opinions or endorsement of the Alaska Area Native Health service, the Indian Health Service, or DHHS. The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of Steve Nock, Joe Allen, Eric Turkheimer, Cathy Crosby, Michael Arthur, and the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic in this endeavor.

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Stewart, T.M., Reppucci, N.D. AIDS and murder. Law Hum Behav 18, 107–120 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01499011

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