Communicating social support: Identifying supportive episodes in an HIV/AIDS support group

Abstract

Ethnographic observations are used to describe supportive episodes in an HIV/AIDS support group and to describe the role of social support for group members. It is suggested that members use communication as a healing agent, as a preparatory mechanism for living with AIDS, as an outlet for expressing emotions, and as a means of changing society. Specifically, feedback and self‐disclosure are recognized as essential elements for communicating support, and the notions of over support and omitted support are identified as directions for future research.