PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS IN INFECTION WITH THE HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS

Background. Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with substantial psychiatric morbidity. This paper summarises the main forms of psychological intervention currently used, and reviews research evidence for their efficacy. Method. Publications on the mental health aspects of HIV infection and psychological interventions were identified through the main HIV journals and general psychiatric and psychological periodicals, with the assistance of AIDS Abstracts. Results. Publications concerned psychological interventions at the time of HIV testing, interventions for infected people at different stages of disease, and risk-reduction interventions. While many publications were identified describing uncontrolled investigations, only a few studies had involved systematic evaluative research. Conclusions. There is a need for systematic evaluation of psychological interventions for HIV infection, in terms of both efficacy and cost.