Rejection sensitivity, psychological flexibility and quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Several factors have been reported to influence quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The present study investigated the predictive roles of rejection sensitivity and psychological flexibility on quality of life among PLWHA. Participants of the present study were two hundred and eighty participants comprising 175 (62.5%) males and 105 (37.5%) females, from the Sacred Heart Hospital, Obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria. The ages of participants ranged from 21 to 67 years (M = 39.48, SD = 9.03). A cross-sectional data was collected using the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Quality of Life. Hierarchical Multiple Regression was used for statistical analysis. Results of the study showed that rejection sensitivity significantly predicted higher physical health symptoms, lower social relationships, and higher cognitive symptoms. Psychological flexibility significantly predicted higher social relationships, lower cognitive symptoms and higher treatment impact among PLWHA.  The findings of the study highlight the need to take necessary measure in the assessment and management of rejection sensitivity, psychological flexibility, and quality of life among PLWHA.