Role of relaxation on cognitive emotion regulation of HIV Infected people

Pages:148-152
Hena Khan and Nishat Afroz (Department of Psychology, BHU, Varanasi)
Jaya Chakaravarty (Department of Medicine, IMS, BHU, Varanasi)

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is a disease of human immune system in which the body’s normal defense system breaks down. Cognitive emotion regulation (CER) can be understood as the cognitive way of managing the intake of emotionally arousing information. The regulation of emotions through cognitions is inextricably associated with human life and helps to manage emotions after the experience of stressful events. There is clearly a need for effective stress management programs for individuals with HIV/AIDS. Techniques involving relaxation are widely used by people to reduce anxiety and cope with stress-related problems. The present study aims to find out the cognitive emotion regulation among HIV positive patients and effect of relaxation on CER. The study has been conducted at ART centre, Department of Medicine, S. S. Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. A total sample of 40 HIV positive people in the age range of 21 to 55 years, has been taken for the study. Nadia Garnefski’s cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire having 36 items and relaxation techniques were administered on the sample. Paired sample t-test used for statistical analysis. Results indicate that the patient’s cognitive emotion regulation is affected by the relaxation exercise. The findings suggest that positive ways of coping and to handle being HIV-infected can be enhanced by relaxation therapy.