reases one's subjective sense of control. Thus, listing ways in which the individual has influenced events in the course of the day might be useful to augment subjective control. CONCLUSION Social workers should develop treatment interventions for people with HIV that discourage feelings of helplessness and encourage feelings of competence, efficacy, and optimism. Knowing that one is infected with HIV is inherently disheartening. It is important for clinicians to structure interventions to help individuals with HIV find perspectives that might create or promote a subjective sense of strength so that immune enhancement occurs and immunosuppression is averted. Outcome research on group therapy with individuals with HIV suggests that structured groups achieve better results than unstructured groups. Group activities targeted to increase the following have been suggested: active behavioral and cognitive coping, a subjective sense of control, the perception of social support, and a perception of self-efficacy in avoiding relapse to risky behaviors. Future research holds the promise of informing social workers about optimal ways to further enhance immune system functioning in vulnerable populations....
