Posttraumatic growth buffers the impact of trauma centrality on health-related quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

There is evidence that beyond physical ailments, thinking patterns could influence health outcomes. In line with autobiographical memory model, we considered, in this study, if centralization of HIV/AIDS and its treatment condition around one’s self concept and identity will predict health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We also considered if Posttraumatic growth ((PTG) will moderate the relationship between event centrality (EC) and HRQoL. HIV/AIDS patients (n = 174) receiving treatment from a public hospital in South East Nigeria completed measures of event centrality, posttraumatic growth, and HRQoL. We analysed for the associations with 4 different dimensions of HRQoL (physical, relationship, cognitive and treatment impact). EC was negatively associated with the cognitive, relationship, and treatment impact aspects of HRQoL. Furthermore, results showed that in the presence of high level of PTG, the relationship between EC and HRQoL on the cognitive, relationship and treatment impact dimensions became positive. Hence this study provides evidence that experience of personal growth, as an aftermath of adversity, can be an effective coping mechanism, buffering the impact of EC on the HRQoL among PLWHA.