Resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic among people living with HIV: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background This study aims to investigate the factors shaping resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic among people living with HIV (PLWH). Methods A total of 341 participants were included in this cross-sectional study. The online survey included scales of resilience, depression & anxiety, loneliness, social support, COVID-19 fear, stress, and sociodemographic information. Results Logistic regression test results showed loneliness (OR = 2.548, 95% CI = 1.251, 5.189), social support (OR = 2.217, 95% CI = 1.148, 4.279), income (OR = 2.581, 95% CI = 1.217, 5.472), sexual orientation (OR = 2.707, 95% CI = 1.004, 7.300), age (OR = 1.044, 95% CI = 1.006, 1.083) and COVID-19 fear (OR = 0.891, 95% CI = 0.840, 0.944) were statistically significant factors associated with resilience among PLWH. Conclusion In conclusion, reducing COVID-19 fear by providing the correct information about the COVID-19 pandemic, fortifying the level of social support satisfaction, as well as minimising the level of loneliness have the potential to improve psychological resilience among PLWH.

Investigation into the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for people living with HIV

“…8,14 Finally, coping strategies used by PLWH, such as social support groups 15 may have been compromised by the COVID-19 pandemic. 3,6,16 However, there is debate as to the extent of pandemicrelated adverse mental health outcomes on PLWH, with a minority reporting improvement in mental health 3,7 and some commenting that resilience learnt from the AIDS pandemic helped them cope with the disruption caused by COVID-19. 8 There has been little attention paid to the potential psychological implications of long-COVID (referring to the continuation of COVID-19 symptoms after acute infection).…”

“…8,14 Finally, coping strategies used by PLWH, such as social support groups 15 may have been compromised by the COVID-19 pandemic. 3,6,16…”