Family Secrets

Abstract

A mail survey obtained a sample of 117 gay men with HIV/AIDS to examine levels of disclosure of HIV status to the family of origin and the association between disclosure and levels of support and barriers to support from the family. Among men with HIV there was a significant difference in knowledge of HIV status between family members such that mothers and siblings were more likely to be knowledgeable than fathers. For the total sample disclosure of HIV status was associated with higher levels of support from all family members and with a lower level of barrier to support from mothers and fathers. Implications for practice are discussed.