Key Emotional Issues for Couples of Mixed HIV Status

Abstract

With more effective treatment advances, long term HIV survivors are turning their attention back towards career and relationship. Based on a research study (N = 82) this article provides a preliminary overview of the key emotional experiences of being in a primary relationship of mixed HIV status. The article reviews relevant literature on emotional stresses and challenges facing the individual in such a relationship and reports on the study's quantitative and qualitative findings on the subject. Regardless of serostatus, sexual orientation or gender, key issues clearly emerged for this population. They are fearful of HIV transmission, impact of uncertainty, an increase in emotional closeness due to HIV as well as an inevitable emotional distance due to the difference in HIV status. Secondary issues included reproductive dilemmas and struggles given one partner's HIV status and difficulty with disclosing a partner's HIV positive status to others. Implications for social workers in health care are provided.