Keeping and disclosing a secret among people with HIV in Israel

This study examined the association of key variables with the intention to disclose and actual disclosure to an additional significant other of being HIV-infected. Sixty-five participants were recruited from five AIDS/HIV centers in Israeli hospitals. Participants completed questionnaires at entry to the study. They were asked about the extent to which they had already disclosed being HIV-infected, their intentions regarding future disclosure, and their emotional state; six months later their disclosure was examined. Depression and shame affected the intention to disclose the secret. Disclosure was associated with being male, having a high level of depression and shame, and having a low level of education. Participants with high levels of guilt who stated that they intended to disclose the secret were most likely to have done so. Implications for practice are discussed.