A comparative study of HIV+ males and females on their mental health, self-esteem and rumination

Pages: 709-713
Chetna Jaiswal and Smriti Kumari (Department of Psychological Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar)

HIV/AIIDS is an incurable and often fatal disease requires enormous psychosocial adjustment. India has the third largest HIV epidemic in the world. In 2017, HIV prevalence among adults (aged 15-49) was estimated 0.2% (UNAIDS, 2017). Overall this highly heterogenic population is slowing down and concentrated among key affected population. However the vulnerabilities that drive the epidemic vary due to its strong ties with gender inequalities and societal stigmatized behavior. Disclosure of HIV has several important connotations in India, specifically in context of gender differences and the stigma associated with it. The available research evidences indicate that gender based disparities adversely affect the mental health, self-esteem and rumination in HIV+ males and females. To assess the gender difference between HIV+ males and females on their mental health, self-esteem and rumination. To carry out the research, purposive sampling was employed on 100 HIV+ patients including 50 males and 50 females. The significant gender difference was found between HIV+ males and females on their mental health, self-esteem and rumination. Result indicated that mean scores obtained by HIV+ males showed the higher level of self-esteem and mental health than HIV+ females. On the other hand females scored higher on rumination. The role of gender disparities was found to have a significant impact on the mental health, self-esteem and rumination in HIV+ males and females.