Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk among the seriously mentally ill.

Seriously mentally ill adults are at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We review the empirical literature that documents this elevated risk in psychiatric patients and identify factors that have been associated with enhanced risk. Our review indicates five characteristics related to HIV risk in psychiatric populations: psychopathology severity and symptomatology, substance abuse proximal to sexual behavior, misinformation about HIV transmission, perceptions of invulnerability, and sttuational, lifestyle factors. Understanding these characteristics can lead to improved HIV preventive intervention models. However, we also note that studies have been limited by unreliable psychiatric diagnoses and sampling constraints. We conclude with suggestions for research, practice, and prevention based on findings in the empirical literature and theories of HIV risk reduction.