ABSTRACT
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is probably the most frightening public-health problem in this century. In addition to the overwhelming physical debilitation caused by the disease, AIDS has a profound psychosocial impact. The problem of social isolation and the responses of the social system to persons with AIDS and related conditions have been discussed by numerous authors (Christ, Wiener, & Moynihan, 1986; Coates, Temoshok, & Mandel, 1984; Dilley, Ochitill, Perl, & Volberding, 1985; Forstein, 1984; Green & Miller, 1986; Miller, 1986; Morin & Batchelor, 1984; Siegel, 1986); the more general problem of living with a stigmatizing disease or disability is presented in detail by Goffman (1963).
