Meaning-In-Life Orientations and Coping Strategies in HIV-Infected Women

Abstract

Background. Medical and social challenges caused by the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are associated not only with the growing number of infected people but also with the need to find effective psychological support for adaptation to a new diagnosis, as HIV infection is considered a significant stressor. Understanding how HIV-infected women cope with stress, and whether this is related to their meaning-in-life orientations, is important for improving their quality of life and adapting to challenging life situations. It is also necessary to identify which meaning-in-life orientations promote proactive coping behavior and enhance adaptation to the diagnosis.

Objectives. The study had its purpose to examine the relationship between the meaning-in-life orientations and coping strategies in women with different HIV status.

Study Participants. The study involved 85 respondents (Mage = 31; SD = 7.87; 100% female), including 42 HIV-positive women and 43 HIV-negative women.

Methods. The study was conducted by means of D.A. Leontiev's Test of Meaning-In-Life Orientations and E. Greenglass, R. Schwarzer, and S. Taubert's Proactive Coping Inventory. The data processing included comparative and correlation analyses using Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman rank correlation coefficient.

Results. Significant differences were found between women diagnosed with and without HIV on the following scales of meaning-in-life orientations: "Locus of Control — Life" (p ≤ 0.01) and "Process" (p ≤ 0.05). HIV-infected women tend to use coping strategies associated with low internal meaning in life, high dependence on external resources, and insufficient internal resilience. Women without HIV demonstrate higher levels of proactive coping and strategic planning, which are associated with the presence of goals, resources, and a sense of control over life. A comparative correlation analysis of the two groups revealed that in HIV-infected women meaning-in-life orientations are more closely associated with various coping strategies than in women without HIV.

Conclusions. The self-reported meaning-in-life orientations and coping behaviors of HIV-infected women are linked to and focused on their current challenging life situation. Their dissatisfaction with life and lack of confidence in their ability to manage it prevent them from accumulating resources to cope with difficult life situations and indicate maladjustment. The findings are relevant for the development of psychological support programs for HIV-infected women that can improve their quality of life and social adaptation.

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