The purpose of this study was to measure the level of self-efficacy in coping methods among people living with HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS is no longer seen as an individual problem as it also affects the family as a whole. The purpose of this study is to purpose of analysing the mental health of family affected by HIV/AIDS in Rwanda. It should be noted that there were not studies conducted on the mental health of the affected families in Rwanda. A qualitative approach using case study design was used to describe the mental health of affected family in Rwanda. HIV/AIDS-related stressors, emotional reactions of family members and coping strategies they adopt to deal with those stressors and emotional reactions were studied. The effects of those reactions and strategies on the infected family member as well as the entire family were analysed. A purposive sampling was used to select two families from Mwana Ukundwa Association for the study. The findings of the study showed multiple losses, care, and socio-economic demands as the main stressors for both cases. Emotional reactions to those stressors included shock, anger, sadness, hopelessness, depression, fear and shame. Participants reported using both emotional and problem-focused coping strategies. Compassion, caring and showing concern had positive effects on the infected and affected as well as family members, whereas emotional reactions such as anger, unhappiness, and discouragement had negative effects on the entire family. Positive effects of family reactions and strategies to cope were associated with coping strategies such as; having opportunity to talk: to someone, distraction, family relationships, spiritual support, treatment, and socio-economic support. Ineffective strategies included family communication dysfunction due to withdrawal behaviour, alcohol abuse and going to nightclubs. These strategies had negative effects on both infected and affected family members. The results suggest that health professionals such as nurses, doctors and other healthcare providers should use a holistic approach in caring for infected family members. They should not only provided family care, but also include the family in planning to care for the infected family member. This will empower them to play a more effective role in home care-based. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2004.

M.A. (Psychology) / The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome not only threatens the world with hitherto unknown rates of mortality and economic ruin, but has also saddled the health sciences with an unprecedented challenge in curing and managing this disease. Herein, the health sciences have not found a cure, and the management of the disease is made extremely difficult because of the unpredictable nature of the interrelationships in biopsychosocial factors inherent in the disease. In order to attempt a description of the complex interrelationships between biopsychosocial factors in this disease, a group of twenty patients in a treatment programme comprising of an exercise and cognitive-behavioural intervention, were subjected to immunologic and psychological assessment before and subsequent to the intervention. The data obtained indicated that none of the interrelationships between psychological and immunological variables predicted by psychoneuroimmunological science existed prior to the intervention. It would appear that the interrelationships between these variables were in total disarray - defeating the object of systematic logical description of biopsychosocial factors in this condition. The post- intervention data suggested a pattern of interrelationships totally within the confines of predicted neuropsychoimmunologic patterns of a biopsychosocial interaction in a disease of immunologic origin. This pattern of predictability would then render possible a treatment programme of a multidisciplinary nature which would bear predictable fruit. It also underscores the necessity of psychological interventions as an adjunct in the treatment of AIDS.

M.Ed. ( Educational Psychology) / This research study shows that young HIV sufferers undergo disturbances involving the mind, body and spirit causing a variety of future adjustment difficulties, problems and coping abilities. This is attributed to fear, loss, grief, guilt, denial, anger, anxiety, depression, stress, physiological changes, pain and hypochondria. This study indicates that they are particularly fearful about being isolated and rejected. They are overwhelmed by thoughts of loss of everything, accompanied by profound feelings of grief. Guilt and self-reproach affect their health further, having an effect on them both physically and mentally. The uncertainty of their future having contracted HIV intensifies anger with themselves as well as others. This also brings about anxiety due to lack of information and appropriate support systems in Soweto...

This study was an investigation into the clinical judgments made by counseling psychologists when faced with a patient who had major depression and AIDS. Two hundred and eighty one counseling psychologists evaluated one of four vignettes depicting an individual with major depression. In three of the vignettes the individual also had AIDS but the vignette varied on how the virus was contracted (unprotected gay sex, IV drug abuse, hemophilia). In the fourth vignette (the control group) the individual did not have AIDS. Results of the study suggested, that the presence of AIDS overshadows the evaluation and treatment decisions made by counseling psychologists when their patient has major depression and AIDS. Three factors-counseling psychologists' general experience with people who have AIDS, their clinical experience with AIDS patients and how the AIDS virus was contracted-were investigated for possible moderating effects of the overshadowing bias. How the AIDS virus was contracted was used as an indirect measure of clinician attitude toward people with AIDS. Neither general or clinical experience with AIDS patients appeared to have an effect on the diagnostic or treatment decisions made by counseling psychologists when evaluating depressed patients with AIDS. As with experience, method of contracting the AIDS virus did not have a moderating effect on the overshadowing bias. Implications of these results for the evaluation and treatment of depression in AIDS patients, as well as future research are discussed. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

D.Phil. / This thesis presents an intervention programme that aims to facilitate anger-expression and takes psychosocial and immunological variables into account. The present research argues that if the effects of the programme are validated, similar programmes may yield similar benefits for other participants in future intervention programmes in a South African context. The nature, course and effects of the HIV disease are described and include specific processes and mechanisms of influence in physical, mental and social terms. Biological processes that result from immunological deficiencies causing AIDS are analyzed and an explication of disease progression is offered. Psychological and social aspects related to immune-system deterioration carry implications for patients and influence their prognosis. The research was conducted in the context of a biopsychosocial conceptualization and was aimed at reducing levels of anger and helping establish recourses in the patients to manage infection and disease, as well as improve or at least retard decrements in immunological functioning. The goal of this intervention programme was to reduce levels of anger, anxiety, depression and social isolation. This would in turn increase the participant's personal sense of self-control, self-efficacy and self-esteem. Changes in these factors would help retard the overall HIV disease progression. An intervention programme was tailored to address the specific needs of HIV- infected patients. The group intervention was focused in such a way that relevant psychological, behavioural and social aspects were addressed. The programme borrowed and used aspects of different models and reformulated an intervention that would best address the specific needs of the participants. It was possible to isolate specific problems and focus the intervention on these specific areas, such as depression, anger, social isolation and hopelessness. For example, it was possible to take into account the participants' low self-efficacy and problems related to a lack of interpersonal coping skills and develop the participants' confidence and assertiveness (Antoni, 1991)

by Joe Chan Bing Hang. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-54). / Abstracts in English and Chinese; questionnaire in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / Chapter CHAPTER I - --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER II - --- METHOD --- p.23 / Chapter CHAPTER III - --- RESULTS --- p.29 / Chapter CHAPTER IV - --- DISCUSSION --- p.38 / REFERENCES --- p.48 / APPENDIX --- p.55

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: People diagnosed as being HIV positive or having AIDS develop depression as they attempt to cope with their daily lives. Some studies have indicated the prevalence of depression and anxiety in people living with HIV/AIDS is higher than in the general population. An evaluation of gender related factors that lead to depression after a diagnosis with HIV/AIDS will highlight the incidences and frequency of what individuals experience in their daily lives. The research is a descriptive study in which the factors that cause depression after HIV/AIDS diagnosis were identified and related to gender. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyse the responses elicited from the participants in the sample. Twenty five PLHAs who had been diagnosed with depression were selected from patients attending both Nthabiseng and Luthando Clinics at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg. A questionnaire was designed to gather demographic as well as information regarding family, social and economic history. A short interview was also conducted with selected patients to determine in their own words what causes their depression. The selected patient hospital charts were analysed to gain additional information to complete the equation. A semi structured interview was conducted with 13 selected health care professionals to gather information on how they see depression in the presence of HIV and whether they are adequately equipped to detect and manage this condition. The findings from this study supported the view depression is present or develops after a positive HIV diagnosis and a difference was detected in the causes of depression in women and that of men. Common causes of depression after HIV diagnosis were denial, fear of death and social insecurity. Women were more likely to attribute their depression to denial and worry about work and family responsibility. Men attributed their depression to failure to provide for their family and loss of social status. Recognising the causes of and gender differences in the causes of HIV-related depression may help in designing more effective counselling strategies and improve management and care of PLHAs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar is 'n aantal mense wat nie aan depressie ly voordat hulle met HIV gediagnoseer word nie. Meeste studies dui aan dat die voorkoms van depressie en angstigheid by mense wat lewe met MIV en VIGS heelwat hoër is as die algemene MIV populasie. Baie mense, insluitende gesondheidsorgwerkers, neem aan dat depressie 'n onontsnapbare newe-effek is van MIV/VIGS diagnose. Dus mag dit gebeur dat depressie ongesiens verby gaan, onbehandeld, met die gevolg van oneffektiewe behandeling, riskante optrede, swak bestuur van MIV/VIGS en 'n lae lewenskwaliteit vir hierdie pasiënte. Hierdie navorsingsartikel kyk na die geslags-verwante faktore wat lei tot depressie na die diagnosering van MIV/VIGS. Die navorsing is 'n beskrywende studie waarin faktore wat depressie in MIV/VIGS gediagnoseerde pasiënte veroorsaak identifiseer en gedifferensieer word afhangende van geslag. Kwantitatiewe asook kwalitatiewe metodes is gebruik. Dertig PLHAs wat met depressie gediagnoseer is, word behandel in Nthabiseng asook Luthando Kliniek by die Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospitaal in Soweto, Johannesburg. Nthabiseng is die MIV Kliniek en Luthando is die psigiatriese kliniek vir MIV/VIGS pasiënte. 'n Vraelys is saamgestel om demografiese asook familie, sosiologiese en ekonomiese inligting te verkry. 'n Kort onderhoud is ook met sommige pasiënte gehou om in hul eie woorde te hoor wat hul glo hul depressie veroorsaak. Die geselekteerde pasiënte se hospitaal kaarte is geanaliseer, met die doel om die dokter se insette of redes te kry oor die pasiënte se depressie. 'n Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoud was gedoen met gesondheidsorgwerkers in Luthando- en Nthabiseng klinieke om inligting te verkry oor hoe hierdie professionele gesondheidsorgwerkers depressie sien by MIV/VIGS pasiënte en of hul bevoegd is om dit te identifiseer en te behandel. Die studie het bevind dat daar 'n verskil is by oorsake van depressie by vroue en oorsake van depressie by mans. Mees algemene oorsake van depressie by MIV/VIGS pasiënte is ontkenning, vrees van dood en sosiale onstabiliteit. By die vroue het ontkenning en bekommernis oor werk- en familie verantwoordelikhede meestal bygedra tot hierdie depressie, en by die mans was dit meer asof daar 'n algemene terleurstelling geheers het in hul gemoed. 'n Terleurstelling deurdat hul nie vir hul families sal kan sorg nie asook die vernedering in die sosiale netwerk. Om die verskille in MIV-geassosieerde depressie gebasseer op geslag te kan herken mag bydra tot die ontwerp van meer effektiewe beradingstrategië.

M.A. / Hubley (1990) notes that Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a relatively recently recognized disease. It is caused by infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which attacks selected cells in the immune system and produces defects in functioning. These defects may not be apparent for years. They lead, however, to a severe suppression of the immune system's ability to resist harmful organisms. This leaves the body open to an invasion by various infections, which are therefore called opportunistic diseases, and to the development of unusual cancers. The virus also tends to reach certain brain cells. This leads to so-called neuropsychiatric abnormalities or psychological disturbances caused by physical damage to nerve cells. Many of those infected with HIV may not even be aware that they carry and can spread the virus. Combating it is a major challenge to biomedical scientists and health-care providers. HIV infection and AIDS occur among the most pressing public policy and public health problems world-wide. Since the first HIV/AIDS cases have been reported in 1981, through mid-1993, more than 600 cases were reported in South Africa. This is only the tip of the iceberg of HIV/AIDS infection as it was estimated that between 2 and 2.5 million South Africans had been infected with the virus through the early 1990s but not yet developed the clinical symptoms. In terms of the historical data from previous surveys (ie. the results of the 1996 survey) in South Africa confirmed the trend of a growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. HIV infection has increased in all provinces, but Kwa-Zulu Natal and Mpumalanga had the highest HIV prevalence rates of 18,23% compared to 1994's '14,35% and 16-18%, compared to 12-16% respectively (see table 1).. Of particular concern are the pregnant women in South Africa under twenty years where a prevalence of 12,78% has been found. Thirty per cent of babies born to HIV positive women in South Africa are infected. Of the 3638 births in VVitbank — a rather small town in Mpumalanga-.Province — in 1996, 219 of the women were tested HIV positive (Masiphile Vol. 1: 1997).