EXPERIENCING SATISFACTION AND STRESS AS AN AIDS CARE PROVIDER - THE AIDS CAREGIVER SCALE

Health care workers (n = 342) completed items examining their emotiona l experiences working with HIV-positive patients Factor analysis produ ced two subscales. Personal Satisfaction and Emotional Stress. A subse t of these care workers (n = 251) claimed increased stress and depress ion after 6 months. In a second study, 91 volunteer AIDS caregivers (' 'buddies'') completed the inventory and the Attitude Toward AIDS Scale Satisfaction subscores were related to frequent contact and Stress su bscores were related to length of illness of persons with AIDS. Satisf action subscores were related negatively to prejudice towards PWA, soc ial discrimination against PWA, and positively to pro-attitudes toward PWA. Stress subscores were related to social discrimination and punis hment for PWA.