A retest of two HIV disclosure theories: The women's story

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2008

Keywords

Longitudinal Studies, Questionnaires, Truth Disclosure, HIV Infections, Disease Progression

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of two theories of HIV disclosure previously tested with men. Participants included 125 HIV-positive women enrolled in a larger, longitudinal study of HIV disclosure and mental health. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the proposed theoretical models. The disease progression model contained two single-indicator exogenous variables (disease progression) and one endogenous latent variable (disclosure). The original consequences model contained two single-indicator exogenous variables (disease progression), two single-indicator endogenous variables (consequences), and one endogenous latent variable (disclosure). The revised consequences model contained two single-indicator exogenous variables (consequences) and one endogenous latent variable (disclosure). The results of this study support the revised consequences theory and an earlier claim that disease progression may not be a direct predictor of HIV disclosure. This suggests that women may evaluate the consequences of disclosure to family and friends, particularly the reward, before the disclosure occurs.

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