Mental Health and Resilience Among HIV-Positive Individuals
Summary
The mental health of people living with HIV encompasses a spectrum of psychological states, from well-being to clinical depression and anxiety, shaped by a complex interplay of biological, social and structural factors. Resilience—the capacity to adapt positively in the face of adversity—emerges as a critical determinant of quality of life, adherence to treatment and long-term health outcomes. Key influences on resilience include individual coping strategies, perceived social support, experiences of stigma and discrimination, economic security and the availability of community and healthcare resources. Across diverse settings, interventions that bolster resilience have been shown to mitigate psychological distress, improve engagement in care and foster hope, even among marginalised groups such as older adults, women and sexual minorities. Global research highlights the importance of integrating mental health screening into routine HIV care, developing culturally appropriate resilience measures and employing multi-level strategies—from peer support networks to policy reforms—to address both individual and systemic barriers to psychological well-being.
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Mental Health and Resilience Among HIV-Positive Individuals publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in mental health and resilience among hiv-positive individuals across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Resilience: Dynamic process of positive adaptation to adversity, enabling psychological and functional recovery.
Stigma: Social devaluation and discrimination directed at individuals based on their HIV status.
Social support: Perceived or actual assistance and care provided by family, friends and community networks.
Herth Hope Index: A standardised questionnaire measuring levels of hope in individuals facing health challenges.
References
- Hope level and associated factors among older people living with HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Public Health (2024).
- The People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Resilience Scale: Development and Validation in Three Countries in the Context of the PLHIV Stigma Index. AIDS and Behavior (2019).
- Resilience-Focused HIV Care to Promote Psychological Well-Being During COVID-19 and Other Catastrophes. Frontiers in Public Health (2021).
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