This study investigated the attitudes of mental health counselors toward persons
with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Three hundred and fifty-eight
members of the American Mental Health Counselors Association were mailed a survey
packet including an Attitude Towards AIDS Victims scale and an additional two
questions assessing comfort with clients with AIDS. Demographic information was also
collected. There were 255 useable surveys, for a response rate of 72%. The results of the
survey indicated that gender was not a significant independent variable in the attitudes of
the mental health counselors. Professional and/or personal contacts with a person with
AIDS were highly predictive of positive attitudes. Sexual orientation of the respondent
was also highly significant as was personal acquaintance with a gay male or lesbian.
Formal AIDS training of one hour or more showed a significant relationship with attitudes
of mental health counselors toward persons with AIDS, with the relationship becoming
more significant at 11 or more hours. The study indicated that mental health counselors are largely uninvolved in providing mental health treatment to persons with AIDS, with 5% of the subjects providing 70% of the services. Recommendations follow regarding preservice and inservice AIDS training and the need for mental health counselors to be more proactive in the AIDS epidemic. / Graduation date: 1996
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/34751 |
| Date | 06 October 1995 |
| Creators | Christenson, Terri Jo |
| Contributors | House, Reese M. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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