EVALUATION OF COPING MECHANISMS THAT ASSIST PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS IN INDIA DEAL WITH STRESS

Abstract

Stress has always been an aspect of HIV/AIDS research There is, however, a dearth of information in the literature on stress and coping strategies among Indian HIV/AIDS patients.

Aim: In order to evaluate coping mechanisms used for evaluating quality of life (QOL), the current study set out to investigate and evaluate the stigmatizing patterns among persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHWA).

Methods: This study evaluated 240 PHLWA (people living with HIV/AIDS) who came to the Institute's outpatient department. Following final inclusion, all respondents participated in a quick semi-structured interview to collect sociodemographic information. The World Health Organization Quality-of-Life (WHOQOL-BREF) scale, which has 26 items, was used to measure quality of life, while a 4-point scale with 40 items was utilized to measure stigma.

Results: 96.7% of research participants reported feeling stressed. The main setting in which stigma was observed was socio- familial status. Compared to the participants who experienced stigma, the fear of stigma was substantially higher (p<0.01). In the psychological dimension, internalizing stigma was negatively correlated with quality of life (p<0.01). Compared to 74% of men, 79% of women experienced real stigma above moderate QOL. There were several defensive mechanisms found, but the most favored ones for handling stress were anticipation, comedy, and benevolence. These self-taught techniques, however, were somewhat beneficial in controlling perceived stigma.

Conclusions: The present study concludes that PLWHA (people living with HIV/AIDS) must avoid internalization of stigmatized feelings and should be involved in social activities to work toward attaining a better quality of life.