Influence of self-compassion on HIV-related stigma, health-related quality of life, and depression among HIV/AIDS patients.

Abstract

Background: People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) may experience HIV-related stigma, which could negatively impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and increase symptoms of depression. Self-compassion is a positive personality attribute that may protect PLWHA against stigmatisation. Previous studies have not examined the influence of self-compassion on the association between HIV-related stigma, HRQoL, and depression.Aim: The present study aimed to examine whether self-companion can moderate the relationship between (i) HIV-related stigma and HRQoL, and (ii) HIV-related stigma and depression among PLWHA.Methodology: Participants included 371 PLWHA (mean age = 31.44 years; SD = 9.75 years) recruited from a healthcare institution in Nigeria. Participants completed relevant self-report measures.Results: Regression analysis results showed that self-compassion positively and significantly moderated the relationship between HIV-related stigma and all the HRQoL domains (physical health symptoms, β = 0.01, p < 0. 05; relationship to others, β = 0.02, p < 0. 05; cognitive symptoms, β = 0.02, p < 0. 05; and treatment impacts, β = 0.02, p < 0. 05). Also, the positive relationship between HIV-related stigma and depression was significantly moderated by self-compassion (β = - 0.02, p < 0. 05).Conclusion: We concluded that clinical efforts geared towards improving the well-being of PLWHA should consider integrating self-compassion-based therapy since it has the potential to decrease the detrimental effects of stigma on the patients' health and recovery.