Psychological Distress and Coping among HIV/AIDS Patients

Salma Kaneez

Abstract


The present study explores the relationship between psychological distress and coping in a sample of low-income HIV/AIDS patients. A total of 30 participants (18 males and 12 females) were selected from J. N. Medical College Hospital, AMU, Aligarh (India). Data was collected by means of Brief Cope Scale and PGI-Health Questionnaire (N-I). Collated data was analyzed by using Pearson’s correlation and KS test. Results indicated that active coping had a significant negative relation, and avoidant coping a strong positive association with psychological distress, whereas support coping was found to be negatively related with psychological distress. Moreover, significant gender differences were noticed in respect of avoidant coping and psychological distress. Female respondents appeared to rely heavily upon avoidant coping and felt more distressed as compared to their counterparts during the course of illness.

Keywords


HIV, AIDS, Coping, Psychological distress

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References


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