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ABSTRACT
Previous research on social support networks of HIV-in-fected persons has reported differences in amount of social contact (embeddedness) across stages of illness. In the present study, 75 HIV-in-fected gay and bisexual males from a statewide, Midwestern sample listed up to nine social support providers and rated their frequency of contact and perceived level of social supportiveness with each person. Comparisons were made between the frequency of contact with social supports at each stage of illness (asymptomatic, symptomatic, and AIDS) and at initial, 1-year, and 2-year time intervals. Frequency of contact was similar across the stages of illness and over time. Furthermore, 'very supportive' ratings increased from 76% to 81% over the two-year time period despite an increase in AIDS diagnoses. It is concluded that progression of the illness does not guarantee reduced contact with or lowered positive perceptions of social relations.