Couples Who Care: The Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Group Intervention for HIV Serodiscordant Couples

Abstract

Objective: The pilot study examined the effectiveness of a psychoeducational group intervention for HIV/AIDS, serodiscordant, heterosexual couples. Method: A quasi-experimental pretest posttest design was used to examine depression, anxiety, and marital satisfaction of couples in which one spouse was HIV positive and the other spouse was negative. Results: Univariate analyses of covariance indicated significant differences between the experimental and comparison groups on each dependent variable. Effect sizes ranged from moderate to strong. Conclusions: The group intervention was effective in reducing depression and anxiety and in increasing marital satisfaction among serodiscordant heterosexual couples.