Work

Close relationships, individual resilience resources, and well-being among people living with HIV/AIDS in rural China

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: The systems framework of resilience has suggested that resilient factors external to or within the individual and their interactions can contribute to positive adjustment in at-risk populations. However, the interplays of resilience resources at different levels have seldom been investigated in health psychology, particularly in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study aimed to examine the mediating role of individual resilience resources in the associations between marital and family relationships and well-being in PLWHA. A sample of 160 Chinese PLWHA were interviewed to complete measures on marital relationship, family relationship, individual resilience resources, and general, physical, and mental well-being. Results showed that better marital relationship and family relationship were associated with higher levels of individual resilience resources and well-being indicators. Mediation analysis with path analysis showed significant mediating effects of individual resilience resources between marital and family relationships and general, physical, and mental well-being. By highlighting marital and family relationships as external resources of resilience and their roles in increasing individual resilience factors which thereby contribute to the well-being of PLWHA, our findings support the systems framework of resilience. There are implications for resilience enhancement interventions with the aim of improving PLWHA's well-being by including interpersonal strategies of strengthening the protective role of marital and family relationships, which will in turn facilitate the resilience process.

Source: AIDS Care

DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1496222

Authors: Jiasheng Huang, Jianxin Zhang, Nancy Xiaonan Yu

Institutions: City University of Hong Kong, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Resilience and Mental Health

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, No poverty

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Food and Health Bureau