Because HIV is a chronic illness, mental health has emerged as a major worry for those who are HIV positive (PLWHIV). The relationship between medical coping mechanisms and fear of progression in PLWHIV is not well understood.
To further explore this issue, researchers from China conducted a study to determine the factors that influence the level of fear of HIV progression among PLWHIV. The data and results were published in the journal BMC Public Health.
The study included clinical, demographic, and psychological data from 303 patients living with HIV. In a quiet environment free from interruptions or distractions, all recruited persons filled out multiple questionnaires, such as the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ), Internalized HIV Stigma Scale (IHSS), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and FoP-Q-SF Scale. In the event that any participant needed assistance in comprehending the questions, they were advised to get expert assistance.
According to the results, 71% of people had low levels of fear, while 29% had high levels of fear. Factors such as lower education, lower income, reduced social support, and HIV prevalence increased fear levels. Patients with high levels of fear were more likely to experience self-stigma and have poorer physical health outcomes. In addition, multivariate analyses showed that there was a positive association between high levels of fear and non-acceptance of a diagnosis.
Notably, negative medical coping mechanisms are correlated with dysfunctional fear of progression. These findings emphasize the need for psychological therapy and early assessment of fear of progression in PLWHIV, a requirement that needs to be confirmed in additional prospective studies.