SOCIAL SUPPORT AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL HEALTH, AND IMMUNE VARIABLES IN HIV-INFECTION

The purpose of this review is to examine how social support is related to measures of psychological adjustment, physical health, and immune function among HIV-infected gay men. Within this population, recent li terature has demonstrated clear links (both positive and negative) bet ween measures of social support and psychological functioning. In cont rast, studies looking at the relationship between social support and b oth measures of physical health and immune function have yielded incon sistent and inconclusive findings. This article synthesizes and review s what is currently known about the effects of social support on the p sychological, physical health, and immune functioning in HIV-infected gay men. Both beneficial and detrimental effects of social support on health are examined, highlighting those aspects of social support that may be enhanced or discouraged in the context of psychotherapeutic in terventions.