Citation

Cazzullo CL, Gala C, Martini S, Pergami A, Rossini M, Russo R. Int. J. Psychiatry Med. 1990; 20(3): 285-292.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.2190/8R5Y-1KFG-5JN8-R0DP

PMID

2265890

Abstract

Personal and familial psychopathological histories and information about early losses were collected and the results of the locus of control test and tests for psychological responses were determined for a series of ninety-two HIV-infected subjects (58 drug addicts; 26 homosexuals; 8 heterosexuals, partners of drug addicts). A higher percentage of drug addicts reported past histories of attempted suicide than the homosexuals. Early loss events were more frequent for homosexuals than for drug addicts. There was a higher psychopathological risk for asymptomatic HIV seropositivity in homosexuals, drug addicts who had attempted suicide, subjects that acknowledged that they have serious illness and subjects with external coping mechanisms rather than internal.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Female; HIV Infections; Homosexuality; Humans; Life Change Events; Life Style; Male; Personality Development; Risk Factors; Sexual Behavior; Sick Role; Substance-Related Disorders