FAMILY THERAPISTS RESPONSE TO AIDS - AN EXAMINATION OF ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE, AND CONTACT

As the numbers of individuals and families impacted by AIDS continue t o multiply, family therapists will increasingly be asked to become eng aged in the challenge of caring for those affected. To date, little ha s been written in family therapy journals regarding the response of fa mily therapists to this crisis. This paper represents an initial attem pt to examine the attitudes of clinical members of the American Associ ation for Marriage and Family Therapy toward AIDS and persons with AID S. Included in the study are data regarding the therapists' contact wi th persons with AIDS, gays, and lesbians, and the impact of such conta ct on attitudes. Implications for future research, training, and treat ment of those affected by AIDS are also provided.