Relationship of life-meaning orientations, depression, anxiety and stress among patients living with HIV during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction The pandemic is an undeniably stressful factor on a planetary scale. Life meaning, specific meaning-life orientations, and aspects of locus of control mediate one’s relationship to one’s life circumstances. Thus, the noetic part of human existence can relate to the perception of the pandemic. Objectives The study aimed to examine the relationship between life-meaning orientations and nonspecific emotional reactions in HIV-infected patients during the second wave of the pandemic. Methods The data were collected from February to July 2021 using a Google form we developed. Fifty-nine HIV-positive patients participated in the study. We used the Purpose-in-Life Test to examine life-meaning orientations and the DASS-21 to diagnose depression, anxiety, and stress. Both questionnaires were adapted for use in Russia. Results We obtained the following mean values on the PiLT scales: “general index of life meaningfulness” — M = 94.39±19.71; “goals in life” — M = 30.80±7.75; “life process” — M = 26.93±6.66; “life performance” — M = 23.69±6.66; “locus of control — Me” — M = 19. 61±5.05; “locus of control — life” — M = 25.90±7.43. All PiLT scales had statistically significant negative correlations with depression, anxiety, and stress, except “life process,” which was not associated with anxiety (rxy = -0.215, p > 0.05). Conclusions In the COVID-19 pandemic, life meaningfulness, ability to manage life, and freedom of choice may be considered as predictors of emotional well-being among patients living with HIV. The method of the existential psychotherapy can be effective apply among this group of patients. Disclosure of Interest None Declared