SILENT CASUALTIES - PARTNERS, FAMILIES, AND SPOUSES OF PERSONS WITH AIDS

When AIDS is diagnosed, more than one person are affected. Partners, families, and spouses of persons with AIDS (PWAs) also find their lives irrevocably changed by the disease. To date, however, most of the counseling, psychological, and psychiatric literature has focused on the diagnosed PWA and his or her psychosocial needs, with only brief mention of significant others. Although some descriptive literature has recently been published, research on specific programs and types of interventions with significant others of PWAs is virtually nonexistent. This article surveys the literature currently available on needs and support of partners, families, and spouses of PWAs and urges that greater services be provided for these persons, and greater attention be paid to them by researchers. 1991 American Counseling Association