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Stevens and Hildebrandt (2006) conducted a longitudinal study involving a diverse, community-based sample of 55 women who had received HIV testing and learned of their positive serostatus. "Women's immediate reactions upon hearing that they were infected with HIV were devastation, shock, and indignation. Long-term responses included depression, submersion of the HIV infection diagnosis, escalated drug and alcohol use, shame, and suicidality. It was usually months and sometimes years before women could extricate themselves from these patterns of response" (p. 207). In the view of these investigators, "[i]t is critical to make HIV infection diagnosis the first intervention in a protocol of seamless support that sees women through the initial trauma of being diagnosed until longer term primary care and social services can be activated" (p. 207). More specifically,
[w]ith a first responder crisis intervention protocol set into motion by a positive HIV test result, a crisis interventionist would come on scene, be introduced by the diagnosing practitioner, and continue to provide emotional and practical support to the individual ... in the interim between HIV infection diagnosis and the time when comprehensive care is established. Beyond regular contact and provision of information, an interventionist would introduce the individual to community resources and accompany her to initial appointments with HIV service providers. (p. 219)
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Spring 2007 Newsletter / Volume 8, Issue 3
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