From: wij@world.std.com (William I Johnston)
Subject: Questionnaire for HIV-negative people
Followup-To: poster 
Keywords: HIV negative AIDS safer sex psychology gay bi
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 02:32:56 GMT

A questionnaire follows this introduction.
 
We have spent a decade battling AIDS, and much of our energy
has understandably been focused on providing support and services
to HIV-positive people. One consequence of this is that the
effect of the epidemic on HIV-negative people remains poorly
understood. How can we help the uninfected remain HIV-negative?
 
I am a volunteer AIDS educator for the AIDS Action Committee
of Massachusetts. For the past two years I have been a facilitator
of a discussion group for HIV-negative gay and bisexual men 
sponsored by the Fenway Community Health Center in Boston.
I have learned that many issues remain unresolved, or are 
brought forth, by a negative HIV-test.
 
For example, although many people report relief at learning that
they are HIV-negative, there is a wide range of other responses,
including surprise, disbelief, hope, doubt, guilt, and grief.
 
I am writing a book about the social and psychological issues
that face gay and bisexual men who learn that they are HIV-negative.
I hope that my book will provide examples of the ways in which we 
have learned to be survivors in the age of AIDS, and offer strategies
that will help others remain uninfected.
 
If you have time to give some thought to the questions below,
please reply via email. 
 
Your replies will be kept confidential. If I find something
in your response that is particularly useful to me, I will
use it in my written material only with your permission.
I am using pseudonyms for all the people I quote in my writing. 
 
Respondents who wish to remain entirely anonymous can mail 
responses to the post office box listed at the end.
 
My focus is on gay and bisexual men because that is the
population I am most familiar with, and one that has unique
issues. I recognize that many of the questions I am asking
also apply to HIV-positive gay men, lesbians, and nongay men 
and women concerned about HIV. If you belong to one of these
groups, you are welcome to respond. The optional information 
at the bottom of the questionnaire will allow you to identify 
yourself as a member of one of these groups, so that I will
be able to include your perspective.
 
You need only respond to questions that interest you. Answers
of any length are welcome. Please respond by 1.31.93 or query.
 
 
    QUESTIONNAIRE FOR HIV-NEGATIVE INDIVIDUALS
    William I Johnston                12.21.92
 
 1. What was it like to not know your HIV-status?
 
 2. What led you to get tested for HIV?
 
 3. Describe your thoughts and emotions while you were
    waiting for your test results.
 
 4. What were your immediate reactions to learning that 
    you were HIV-negative?
 
 5. What longer-term reactions (thoughts or emotions) have
    you had regarding your HIV-negative status?
 
 6. If you have been tested more than once, can you explain what
    led you to retest? How many times have you been tested?
 
 7. To whom do you disclose your HIV-negative status? Why?
 
 8. Has your sexual behavior been influenced by your HIV-status?
    If so, in what ways? 
 
 9. Does your sexual behavior depend on the HIV-status of your
    partner or the nature of your relationship? If so, in what ways?
 
10. How has your definition of safer sex changed over the years?
 
11. How do you negotiate with a partner whose definition of
    safer sex differs from yours?
 
12. Why do you think some uninfected people have unsafe sex?
 
13. When have you had difficulty practicing safer sex?
 
14. In what ways is there division between HIV-negative 
    and HIV-positive people?
 
15. How do you manage stress and anxiety about HIV?
 
16. What responsibilities do HIV-negative people have in 
    combatting the AIDS epidemic?
 
17. If you saw a book addressed to HIV-negative people,
    what would you hope to find in the contents?
 
Please add any other thoughts, comments, or questions:
 
Optional Information
 
Age:
HIV-status (-,+,?):
Sexual identity (gay,bi,straight,other):
Gender (M,F,other):
Occupation:
City/State/Country of residence:
Relationship status:
Do I have permission to quote from your responses, using a pseudonym:
May I contact you for further information:
If so, email address:
May I include your real name in acknowledgements:
If so, real name as you would like it to appear:
 
Replies via email to wij@world.std.com will be kept confidential.
If you wish to respond anonymously, please send US mail.



-- 
wij@world.std.com

William I Johnston
P.O. Box 126