Web Exclusive

The Effects of Unconditional Acceptance on High-Risk Sexual Behaviors in Men Diagnosed With HIV
By Kristie Abbs, DSW, MEd, LCSW, LISW, BSL, and Thomas Bechard, DSW, MSW, BCD

Every person has made poor decisions at one point in their lives. However, those who have support and guidance from a robust support network are at a significant advantage in learning from their mistakes, developing new skills, and making better future choices. Unconditional acceptance from family, friends, and others in a community facilitates positive decision-making skills, which benefits both the individual and their surrounding community. While every individual has unique strengths and weaknesses, we all have value and contribute to society.

Sexual Behaviors
Safe sexual practices have led to fewer diagnoses of HIV and a decrease in the spread from one infected person to another. The decision to practice safe sex has many variables compounding the outcomes. While educational materials regarding safe sex are widely available, men diagnosed with HIV are specifically taught safe sex practices in hopes of protecting others with whom they share sexual relations. Interestingly, men who use these protections have demonstrated increased unconditional acceptance from others, which in turn empowers them to help protect others and build healthy relationships. Instead of stigmatizing and judging HIV-positive men, framing the scenario as an opportunity to educate and protect others encourages them to take ownership of their situation and choose to protect those in their community.

The Social Worker’s Role
Social workers have an essential role in helping clients find unconditional acceptance. These practices first originate in the individual. When first diagnosed with HIV, people are confused, scared, and angry. The first steps in this process are critical to mental and physical care. Individuals need to learn about the virus and understand all that encompasses the diagnosis and living with HIV.

Social workers have an opportunity to educate clients, families, and others involved with the client about the virus; discuss ways to maintain their health; and teach new coping skills. Education is an integral part of increasing unconditional acceptance and helping clients deal with a daunting experience. Helping clients understand that they can still lead long, healthy, and happy lives—even with their diagnosis—is of paramount importance.

Safe sexual practices need to be reviewed with clients to ensure everyone remains secure, and social workers have the opportunity to collaborate with medical professionals on how to put these practices into the person's life moving forward. Educating clients on how to protect both themselves and others helps prevent the spread of the virus and protects the client from contracting additional viruses. Furthermore, teaching coping skills, such as mindfulness practices, increases self-acceptance and helps both the client and their surrounding network.

Finding support for clients can improve and increase unconditional acceptance from others and improve self-acceptance, leading to a decrease in risky sexual practices. Social workers can identify support groups and other resources in their communities and online to assist clients in gaining support and provide them with an increased chance of building positive relationships with others. Collaboration of care with other professionals in the community offers improved care and leads to more consistent treatment protocols, yielding improved mental and physical health outcomes. Thus, understanding the importance of continuity of care is essential for everyone working with HIV-positive individuals. Holding educational forums, meetings, and interactions increases the knowledge of care providers to ensure they are optimizing all facets of patient care.

Developing a plan to increase unconditional acceptance in men diagnosed with HIV proves fruitful in helping them decide to use safe sex practices to decrease the infection of HIV in others. When men experience unconditional acceptance, they demonstrate increased self-esteem, improved decision-making, and improved relations with others. Social workers can help their clients understand, accept, and live successfully with HIV.

— Kristie Abbs, DSW, MEd, LCSW, LISW, BSL, is an assistant professor and director of MSW field experience at Slippery Rock University. She specializes in mental and behavioral health and has presented at national conferences.

— Thomas J. Bechard, DSW, MSW, BCD, is an assistant professor and director of social work field education for the BSSW program at Slippery Rock University. He specializes in HIV prevention and self-acceptance and has presented at national conferences.

Resources
Rzeszutek M. Health-related quality of life and coping strategies among people living with HIV: the moderating role of gender. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2018;21(3):247-257.

Thompson BL, Waltz JA. Mindfulness, self-esteem, and unconditional self-acceptance. J Ration Emot Cogn Behav Ther. 2008;26(2):119-126.

de Vries HJ. Current challenges in the clinical management of sexually transmitted infections. J Int AIDS Soc. 2019;22 Suppl 6(Suppl Suppl 6):e25347.

Yen YF, Lai HH, Kuo YC, et al. Association of depression and antidepressant therapy with antiretroviral therapy adherence and health-related quality of life in men who have sex with men. PLoS ONE. 2022;17(2):e0264503.