ABSTRACT
The H IV /A ID S epidemic has dram atically changed our world and, as Coates states, “ HIV is here to stay” (Kalichm an, 1995, p. xi). HIV infection can exhaust an individual’s intrapersonal, interpersonal, economic, and m aterial resources (Kalichm an). A t the intrapersonal level, individuals living with HIV experience denial (Adam & Sears, 1996; Black, 1993; Earl, M artindale, & C ohn, 1991; Yep, Reece, & Negron, 1997), isolation and em otional turm oil (Black, 1993; Cherry & Smith, 1993; M orin, Charles, & M alyon, 1984; Yep & Pietri, 1999), extreme uncertainty (Adam & Sears, 1996; Siegel & Krauss, 1991; Weitz, 1989, 1991; Yep et al., 1997), fear and anxiety (Catania, Turner, Choi, & Coates, 1992; Fullilove, 1989; Gochros, 1992), and depression (Hays, T urner, & Coates, 1992; Perry, Jacobsberg, et al., 1990; R abkin & R abkin, 1995). A t the interpersonal level, people living with HIV encounter social stigm atization (Clemo, 1992; D ouard, 1990; Herek & G lunt, 1988; Petronio & M agni, 1996; Pryor & Reeder, 1993; Siegel & Krauss, 1991; Weitz, 1991), d ifficu lties in in te rp e rso n a l and in tim a te re la tio n sh ip s (B lack, 1993; Cam eron, 1993; Crandall & Coleman, 1992; Yep et al., 1997), abandonm ent
and physical rejection (Black, 1993; M ooney, Cohn, & Swift, 1992; Siegel & K rauss, 1991; Stulberg & Buckingham, 1988), and discrim ination (E. A. A nderson, 1989; Cam eron, 1993; Rowe, Plum, & Crossm an, 1988, Yep et al., 1997), am ong others. Finally, individuals living with HIV also face fi nancial drains, as the estim ated lifetime cost of HIV infection is $119,000 per person (Hellinger, 1993). In short, there are few, if any, dom ains o f life th a t are not affected by an HIV diagnosis.
