A study of causal factors of HIV/AIDS, cognitive appraisal and coping strategies used by HIV/AIDS patients.
Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10341)
Fareed H Caritas Pakistan Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
The present study examined the causal factors of HIV/AIDS, cognitive appraisal and coping strategies used by HIV/AIDS patients. Sample consisted of 50 HIV positive patients who were taken from two NGOs. Self constructed questionnaire, stress appraisal measure and coping strategies questionnaire were used to assess the patients. Results revealed that the major cause of HIV/AIDS patients was having sexual relations with multiple sex partners. It was assumed that more the patients appraise their disease as stressful, less practical problem focused coping strategies they will use and more the patients would appraise their disease as controllable, less avoidance coping strategies they will use. Findings revealed that majority of the patients were stressed, threatened and appraised their disease as of personal significance that had long term and serious consequences for them. Paired sample t test and correlation analysis were used to analyze data. Analysis revealed that HIV positive patients most commonly used act ive practical coping strategies and they least used avoidance coping. Correlation analysis indicated that active practical coping was negatively related to stress whereas avoidance coping was negatively related to controllability. It can be implied that the presence of HIV in patients has impact on patient's cognitive appraisal and coping strategies.
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Adaptation, Psychological, Learning, Questionnaires, Thinking, Humans
