       Document 1981
 DOCN  M94A1981
 TI    The influence of HIV seropositivity on the emotional relationship
       between heterosexual couples.
 DT    9412
 AU    Lambiase L; Pozzi G; Pravettoni G; Caprioli S; Suter F; General
       Hospital, Busto Arsizio, Italy.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):407 (abstract no. PD0237). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370594
 AB    OBJECTIVES: In a study elaborating a psychotherapeutic approach for
       heterosexual couples in which one or both partners are HIV+, a
       preliminary inquiry was carried out to evaluate: 1) the history and the
       affective relationship of the couple; 2) the emotional role changes of
       the partners following the diagnosis of HIV positivity; 3) how the
       couple copes with the disease. METHODS: 30 couples have been interviewed
       (14 couples with both partners HIV+; 16 couples with only one partner
       HIV+) according to a systemic circular approach. RESULTS: the couples
       with both partners HIV+, sharing the disease, are more able to relate to
       the partners' feelings and face the difficulties together using their
       personal resources. The couples with only one partner HIV+, instead,
       express the desire to keep a good relationship between each other, but
       realise the incapacity to show their real feelings, which are
       contrasting and very different between the two. All the couples tend to
       lead a normal couple life style regarding each other, the children and
       the outside world. This process is made easier when the knowledge of the
       seropositivity is found out before the commitment. CONCLUSIONS: a
       psychotherapeutic model for the couples with both members HIV+ could
       hold, most of all, anxieties related to the diseases' progression, while
       a more personal psychotherapeutic approach could favour the expression
       of the different emotional states in the couples with only one partner
       positive.
 DE    Adult  Child  Comparative Study  *Emotions  Female  Human  HIV
       Seropositivity/*PSYCHOLOGY  *Interpersonal Relations  Interviews  Life
       Style  Male  Parent-Child Relations  *Sex Behavior  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

