HIV Disease and Work: Effect on the Individual, Workplace, and Interpersonal Contexts

Abstract

This article reviews the literature on the effect of HIV disease on work and employment for the years 1992–1996. Three work contexts are examined. Part one explores the effect of this disease on the career development and employment of the HIV-infected individual. Research is reviewed on the physical, psychoneurological, and psychosocial aspects of HIV disease that affect work. Part two examines the workplace impact of HIV disease on employers, employees, and formal caregivers (e.g., counselors and medical personnel) including legal aspects, attitudes toward HIV-infected persons, and workplace stressors and rewards. Part three examines the effects of providing care to HIV-positive persons on the employment and careers of informal caregivers. Each section of the review presents a summary and critique of the research and suggestions for future research. General conclusions are presented in the final section of the paper.