BEREAVEMENT AND HIV-INFECTION

The loss of a loved one is a potent and frequent life stressor for tho se infected with HIV and those at risk for infection. Early in the epi demic, bereavement in homosexual men was associated with increased dis tress in a dose-response relationship with the number of losses. More recent research suggests that this is not the case, though a relations hip with increased grief level and with perceived self-threat is still recognized. A change in the form of bereavement response to a reactio n resembling chronic, post-traumatic distress is also possible. Future research using a stressor-support-coping model is advocated to invest igate this possibility. Studies on the effect of bereavement should be conducted with other HIV infected and at-risk groups. Brief, supporti ve, group psychotherapy for recent loss and total loss burden due to H IV/AIDS is advocated to prevent associated psychological morbidity. Th e effects of such interventions on immune measures and the clinical pr ogression of HIV disease also merits investigation.