The aids crisis and gay male survivor guilt

Abstract

Since 1981, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has affected the lives of many Americans, particularly the lives of gay males. There is little research on the effects of grief and bereavement this community continues to experience. Therefore, an investigation was undertaken to find whether survivor guilt was evident in gay males in a large metropolitan community.

Fifteen gay men were interviewed on their experiences of grief and survivor guilt and 77 questionnaires containing a subset of interview questions were completed. Results indicate that a modest amount of survivor guilt is experienced in the gay community; those with more experience of HIV or AIDS related illnesses and deaths had less survivor guilt than those who had experienced fewer illnesses and deaths. Gay men who are involved with gay/AIDS organizations have a significant reduction in survivor guilt feelings. The majority of gay men think about persons suffering or dying from AIDS a great deal of the time; thus therapists should explore the history of AIDS loss in gay male clients. The denial that some gay men use in relation to their feelings about those who have died from AIDS should be examined carefully. Furthermore, the need for gay bereavement groups and resocialization groups will continue to expand.

Notes

Fred F. Boykin is a clinical social worker in the infectious disease unit at National Institutes of Health in Belhesda, MD, and in private practice in Washington, D.C. This article is based upon a thesis, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work, Smith College School for Social Work, 1990.