WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH AND SYMPATHY FOR HIV-POSITIVE COWORKERS - ANEXPERIMENTAL EXAMINATION OF MODE OF TRANSMISSION, CONCERN, AND KNOWLEDGE

This study investigated concern about HIV infection, knowledge about H IV/AIDS, and mode of transmission on willingness to work with and symp athy expressed towards a coworker with AIDS. 120 undergraduate student s were randomly assigned to one of 12 groups in a 3 x 4 between-subjec ts design. Subjects viewed one of three 12-min. videotapes, including one videotape designed to increase concern, one designed to increase i nformation, and a control videotape of music. Participants then read o ne of four scenarios about training a new employee. The scenarios vari ed the mode of HIV transmission (unknown, heterosexual contact, homose xual contact, or blood transfusion). Analysis showed that the ratings of willingness to work with or sympathy toward the HIV-positive cowork er made after the videotape were nor higher than those of other groups ; however, significantly greater sympathy was reported for coworkers w ith unknown means of transmission than for coworkers who had contracte d the virus through homosexual activity and more sympathy was also sho wn for coworkers who had contracted AIDS through blood transfusion tha n for employees who became infected through any type of sexual activit y. Findings are discussed in terms of the AIDS literature and suggesti ons for employers.