Research and theory on social supports points to associated with psychological distress in persons
relationships with significant others as important with AIDS or AIDS-Related Complex (ARC) [4–8]
areas of influence on physical health and adjustment and in HIV asymptomatic persons [9,10]. One study
[1]. The beneficial effects of social support for those found that HIV-infected gay men who were satisfied
dealing with health problems have been widely with the social support they received were less likely
documented (e.g., [2,3]). Investigation of social to show increased depression 1 year later [11].
support in the context of HIV/AIDS is particularly Similarly, subjective perceptions of physical health,
relevant given the stigma, discrimination and social such as the number of physical symptoms reported,
isolation associated with this disease. have been found to be inversely related to social
Social support has been found to be inversely support in persons with AIDS [5,8,12] and asymptomatic
persons [12].