Experiencing Satisfaction and Stress as an Aids Care Provider

Health care workers (n = 342) completed items examining their emotional experiences working with HIV-positive patients. Factor analysis produced two subscales: Personal Satisfaction and Emotional Stress. A subset of these care workers (n = 251) claimed increased stress and depression after 6 months. In a second study, 91 volunteer AIDS caregivers ("buddies") completed the inventory and the Attitude Toward AIDS Scale. Satisfaction subscores were related to frequent contact and Stress subscores were related to length of illness of persons with AIDS. Satisfaction subscores were related negatively to prejudice towards PWA, social discrimination against PWA, and positively to pro-attitudes toward PWA. Stress subscores were related to social discrimination and punishment for PWA.