Willingness to Work with and Sympathy for HIV-Positive Coworkers: An Experimental Examination of Mode of Transmission, Concern, and Knowledge

Abstract

This study investigated concern about HIV infection, knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and mode of transmission on willingness to work with and sympathy expressed towards a coworker with AIDS. 120 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of 12 groups in a 3 × 4 between-subjects design. Subjects viewed one of three 12-min. videotapes, including one videotape designed to increase concern, one designed to increase information, and a control videotape of music. Participants then read one of four scenarios about training a new employee. The scenarios varied the mode of HIV transmission (unknown, heterosexual contact, homosexual contact, or blood transfusion). Analysis showed that the ratings of willingness to work with or sympathy toward the HIV-positive coworker made after the videotape were not higher than those of other groups; however, significantly greater sympathy was reported for coworkers with unknown means of transmission than for coworkers who had contracted the virus through homosexual activity and more sympathy was also shown for coworkers who had contracted AIDS through blood transfusion than for employees who became infected through any type of sexual activity. Findings are discussed in terms of the AIDS literature and suggestions for employers.