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Karl Goodkin, MD, PhD, FAPA; Nancy T. Blaney, PhD; Daniel J. Feaster, MS; Teri Baldewicz, PhD; Jack E. Burkhalter, PhD; Barbara Leeds, LCSW

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999;56:52-59.

Background  Bereavement is a severe and frequent stressor among those infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and those affected by the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic. This study examined the impact of a research-derived, semistructured, bereavement support group among HIV-1–seropositive and HIV-1–seronegative homosexual men having lost a close friend or intimate partner to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome within the prior 6 months.

Methods  A total of 166 subjects (97 HIV-1 seropositive; 69 HIV-1 seronegative) were randomly assigned to groups of homogeneous HIV-1 serostatus or to their respective control group. Subjects were assessed at entry and at 10 weeks with psychosocial questionnaires, a semistructured interview for psychopathology, a medical history and physical examination, urine collection, and phlebotomy.

Results  For a composite score of psychological distress and grief as well as the distress component, scores were significantly lower after the intervention by analyses against baseline scores, with and without control variables for other factors affecting distress level. A significant reduction in grief level was found only in the analysis that included control variables. Control subjects showed no significant decrements in overall distress, although a significant decrement in grief level was observed.

Conclusion  A brief group intervention can significantly reduce overall distress and accelerate grief reduction in a sample of bereaved subjects unselected for psychopathology or at high risk for subsequent maladjustment.

From the the Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Drs Goodkin and Blaney, Mr Feaster, and Ms Leeds), Neurology (Dr Goodkin), and Psychology (Dr Goodkin), University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Fla; the Department of Psychiatry, Duke University, Durham, NC (Dr Baldewicz); and the Department of Psychiatry, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (Dr Burkhalter).

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