Partners of men with HIV infection and haemophilia: controlled investigation of factors associated with psychological morbidity

Abstract

The study was concerned with determining the prevalence of psychosocial problems in partners of men with haemophilia and HIV infection, and with identifying factors associated with psychological morbidity. Partners of 17 HIV positive and partners of 19 HIV negative men with haemophilia were assessed in a cross-sectional controlled investigation. Outcome measures included current psychological status and psychiatric history; coping and health beliefs; and social and sexual functioning. Partners of HIV positive men with haemophilia, the majority of whom were asymptomatic, were not found to suffer more psychological difficulties than the partners of HIV negative men with haemophilia. However, partners of haemophiliacs regardless of HIV status suffer from higher levels of psychological distress than comparable women in the community, and those with past psychiatric history and current social difficulties are particularly at risk. The sexual relationships of couples with HIV positive men were more adversely affected than those of HIV negative couples.