Social Workers’ Perceptions of Working with People who have HIV/AIDS
Date
2015Author
Prock, Kristen A.
Cummings, Cristy E.
DeNuccio, Alec
Hindes, Kailey L.
Hughes, Anne K.
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This article presents the results of a cross-sectional online survey sent to a national sample of
licensed social workers to examine their attitudes toward individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The
survey included the AIDS Attitude Scale (Froman, Owen & Daisy, 1992), the HIV Knowledge
Questionnaire-18 (Carey & Schroder, 2002), and the Modern Homonegativity Scale (Morrison
& Morrison, 2002). Factors related to education, training, and other personal characteristics
are explored. In this sample, 45% of the social workers indicated that more education and
training would be beneficial to them in their current position, and greater HIV knowledge was
associated with more positive attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, 57%
of those surveyed indicated knowing someone personally who has HIV/AIDS, and demonstrated
overall higher scores on empathy, and lower scores on avoidance. Those social workers who had
higher avoidance of people living with HIV/AIDS were also found to be higher in
homonegativity. The findings of this study add to the body of knowledge regarding social work
attitudes, and provide further insight into an area with little existing data. The authors propose
further research to identify causes of attitudes, potential gender and cultural differences, and the
impact of the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics on social workers’
attitudes.
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