Specification of social support behaviours and network dimensions along the HIV continuum for gay men.

This study aimed to investigate social supports that HIV-infected persons find helpful and unhelpful, and the size and composition of networks along the disease continuum. Ninety six HIV-infected and 33 seronegative gay men were interviewed. The HIV continuum was represented by seronegative, HIV asymptomatic and symptomatic groups. Emotional and physical support were the most frequently identified helpful supports. Symptomatic persons identified physical support as helpful more often than asymptomatic persons. Availability, acceptance and nurturing were the most frequently identified helpful emotional support behaviours, while domestic support was the most frequently identified physical support behaviour. The most frequently mentioned unhelpful support was overprotectiveness. Overall, HIV-infected people had adequate social networks. Composition of the networks of HIV-infected persons differed from that of seronegative participants in that the former had markedly more professional and family persons and fewer friends in their network. HIV education and counseling interventions should provide emotional support, facilitate physical support for symptomatic persons, offer support that matches specific needs, include significant others, incorporate peer-help and be gay-sensitive.