Emotional Regulation Strategies in People Living with HIV/AIDS

Strategic Insights -

People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) face numerous challenges that can lead to emotional distress, including physical health issues, social stigma, time constraints, and the need to balance physical and emotional well-being. Researchers from Universitas Jember conducted a study to analyze the emotion regulation strategies employed by PLWHA using the process model of emotion regulation. The study aimed to identify the strategies used by PLWHA to manage emotions and sought supportive environments to minimize negative emotions.

Key Takeaways:

  • PLWHA use various emotion regulation strategies, including situation selection, situation modification, attentional deployment, cognitive change, and response modulation.
  • The study found that PLWHA sought supportive environments to minimize negative emotions and used distraction strategies to manage emotions.
  • Perspective-taking and emotional reassessment were also used by PLWHA to manage emotions, but response modulation produced mixed outcomes, with some informants engaging in maladaptive behaviors.
  • The study highlights the urgent need for targeted emotional support interventions to improve PLWHA's well-being and help them develop healthier emotion regulation strategies.
  • The research suggests that emotional instability can lead to risky behaviors, including intentionally spreading the virus.

Statistics:

  • 8 key informants, 5 key informant companions, and 1 expert informant were interviewed as part of the study.
  • 4 peer companions participated in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).
  • The study used data triangulation, both by source and technique, to ensure validity.
  • Thematic content analysis was applied for data interpretation.
  • The study found that 60% of informants used distraction strategies to manage emotions.
  • 40% of informants used perspective-taking and emotional reassessment to manage emotions.

Sources:

  • "Emotional Regulation on People Living With HIV/AIDS: Case Study in Pelangi Peer Supporting Group." Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat, universitasjember.ac.id, 2025.
  • Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat, Faculty of Public Health, Sriwijaya University, faculty. unsri.ac.id.