Promoting wellness in HIV-support groups.

This investigation explored the views, meanings, and perspectives of male homosexuals who sought help from each other in community support groups. They sought support to face the sometimes overwhelming reality of living with the life-threatening effects of HIV infection. The research design was qualitative, using a naturalistic approach to generate an understanding of group support for male homosexuals with HIV infection. Data were analyzed inductively, using the constant comparative method. Four major categories of data identified were: intimacy, group process, group structure, and meaning. The author gives recommendations for conducting HIV-support groups.