Abstract
M.A. (Psychology)
It is generally accepted that Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is the most serious
pandemic ever to threaten South Africa. Within the context of South Africa being an
African country, this pandemic is dramatically increasing and establishing a pattern
which will not only effect the health services in the future, but will also have a devastating effect on the economy of the country.
The greatest impact of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is not only on the
individual and his health condition, but also on the context within which the individual
functions. Within this context, the family is affected and a reciprocal effect takes place,
where the manner in which the family of the affected individual deals with his
condition, may have a detrimental effect on his illness.
To date limited research has been conducted to describe this condition and its impact
on the family. This study was undertaken in order to deal with the problem. Two
experimental groups were recruited, the reason being that these two experimental
groups would largely cover the diversity of the field in which this condition occurs. The
first experimental group consisted out of white homosexual males who were diagnosed
as having AIDS and the second group consisted out of a group of black heterosexual
males who were also diagnosed as having AIDS.
Ten psychosocial variables were isolated in order to investigate the impact the
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome has on family interaction. These were:
depression, alienation, conflict within the family, cohesion within the family, meaningful
interaction within the family, social interaction within the family, moral/religious
emphasis within the family, impact of the disease on physical ability, the need for sleep
and rest, and total sickness impact on the individual.
An analysis of the data indicated that both white homosexual male subjects and black
heterosexual male subjects displayed significantly more depression, less social
interaction, a greater need for sleep and rest, and a decline in physical ability.
Furthermore, the analysis also indicated a very serious impact on the individual's ability
to function.
Of exceptional importance was the fact that white homosexual subjects displayed
significantly more alienation and increased conflict within their families than the black
heterosexual subjects, while the black heterosexual subjects in turn experienced less
significant interaction within their families