HIV RISK REDUCTION FOR THE SERIOUSLY MENTALLY-ILL - PILOT INVESTIGATION AND CALL FOR RESEARCH

Research indicates that people with serious mental illnesses (SMI; e.g ., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder. bipolar disorder) are at e nhanced risk for infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) . To decrease this risk, we piloted a six-session HIV-risk reduction i ntervention for two single-gender groups (nine women, eight men; M age = 39.8 years) of SMI outpatients. The intervention and assessment wer e based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model of HIV-p reventive behavior (Fisher & Fisher, 1992, Psychological Bulletin, 111 , 455-474) and employed activities designed specifically for people wi th a SMI. Data were collected at pre- and post-intervention, and at a one-month follow-up. Results indicated that this brief intervention re sulted in enhanced HIV-related knowledge, and trends toward enhanced s kill at condom use negotiation and condom use self-efficacy. Overall, a modest decrease in risk behavior among participants was observed. Th us, this pilot investigation revealed that HIV-related risk of the SMI can be reduced through traditional behavioral skills and education me thods. Future research employing control groups, more intensive interv entions, and baseline screening for high risk is encouraged. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.