SUPPORT GROUP MEMBERSHIP AND PERCEPTIONS OF CONTROL OVER HEALTH IN HIV+ MEN

We compared health-related control perceptions in 115 HIV+ gay/bisexua l British men who were or were not members of an AIDS support group. P articipants completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Sca le (MHLC). Compared to those who were not members of a support group, HIV+ men who belonged to a support group reported higher frequencies o f perceptions that both oneself and powerful others (health profession als) are major determinants of one's health. Support group members als o reported a fewer frequency of perceptions that chance factors greatl y influence one's health. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.