Psychosocial Factors Associated With the Self-Efficacy of Managing HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Many people living with HIV/AIDS (PLH) choose to use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) alone or in addition to traditional medication. A dearth of research has examined psychosocial variables in CAM users who are HIV+. This study explores the role of selfefficacy in managing HIV/AIDS for CAM users and its association with three correlates of mental health: depression, stress and quality of sleep. Research has demonstrated that self-efficacy plays a role in a wide range of life situations, ranging from success in the workplace, to parenting skills to living with HIV (Bandura, 1992). However, little research has examined factors associated with self-efficacy of managing HIV/AIDS. Attention to such factors may provide insight into how to improve self-efficacy in this population and contribute to improved adherence rates. Depression, stress, and poor sleep quality are reported to be implicated in decreased immune functioning in healthy individuals (Kiecolt-Glaser, 2001). Additionally, these three factors are partially responsible for poor immune functioning in many chronic illnesses, including cancer (Gidron, 2006). Only a few studies have examined the roles these factors play in selfefficacy and no studies exist that examine these dynamics in an HIV+ population (Bandura, 2003). This study explores the relationship of depression, stress, and sleep quality with self-efficacy in CAM users living with HIV/AIDS (instruments used: