Sandstrom K L
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology, University of Northern Iowa, USA.
Soc Work Health Care. 1996;23(4):51-74. doi: 10.1300/J010v23n04_05.
The present study examined the patterns and variations characterizing the support group involvements of 25 gay men with HIV/AIDS. Results indicated that those men who participated in support groups on a long-term basis (i.e., one year or more) were less likely to have access to other social support networks. They were also most interested in receiving and exchanging emotionally-oriented forms of support, such as empathy, acceptance and camaraderie. By contrast, the men who participated in support groups for a brief period of time (i.e., six months or less) had greater access to alternative support networks and were more interested in receiving and exchanging instrumental forms of support, such as illness-related information and examples of effective coping. Those men who elected not to participate in support groups emphasized their relatively good health, the strength of their existing support systems and their reluctance to see others with life-threatening symptoms. Finally, regardless of whether and how they participated in formal support groups, the majority of men in this study benefitted from interacting regularly with peers. Through these interactions, they received helpful understanding, information and friendship. In addition to this, they often experienced a revitalizing sense of purpose, efficacy and mutuality which enabled them to cope more successfully with their illness.
本研究调查了25名感染艾滋病毒/艾滋病的男同性恋者参与支持小组的模式及特点。结果表明，那些长期（即一年或更长时间）参与支持小组的男性获得其他社会支持网络的机会较少。他们也最有兴趣接受和交流情感方面的支持，如同感、接纳和同志情谊。相比之下，短期（即六个月或更短时间）参与支持小组的男性有更多机会获得其他支持网络，并且对接受和交流工具性支持更感兴趣，如与疾病相关的信息和有效应对的实例。那些选择不参与支持小组的男性强调他们相对良好的健康状况、现有支持系统的力量以及他们不愿看到他人出现危及生命的症状。最后，无论他们是否以及如何参与正式的支持小组，本研究中的大多数男性都从与同伴定期互动中受益。通过这些互动，他们获得了有益的理解、信息和友谊。除此之外，他们经常体验到一种重振使命感、效能感和相互性，这使他们能够更成功地应对疾病。
