One hundred and fifty‐three early stage, HIV‐infected military medical beneficiaries who were receiving zidovudine (AZT) completed a questionnaire designed to assess perceptions, expectations, and patterns of AZT use, as well as standard measures of mood states. Adherence to medical regimens, or continuing with recommended AZT therapy, was related to participants feeling that their decisions to begin AZT treatment were made without any perception of “undue pressure.” Adherence also was related to fewer and less severe side effects, less negative affect, and reports of more AZT‐related benefits. The implications of these findings for both medical and psychological interventions are