ABSTRACT
Background:
Research on post-traumatic
growth (PTG) and
HIV is scarce and the relationship between PTG and stigma is controversial. Group psychotherapeutic interventions to facilitate PTG in clinical samples are effective but none exist to simultaneously decrease stigma in the
HIV population. The main objective was to evaluate the
effectiveness of an intervention in increasing PTG and decreasing stigma in
HIV, as well as to explore relationships between the variables.
Methods:
Quasi-
experimental design with a sample of 42
HIV-positive
adults (M = 46.26, SD = 11.90). The experimental group (EG) was subjected to a 9-week group intervention. Instruments CBI, PTGI-X, PSS-10,
HIV stigma, emotional expression,
HIV stress
indicators,
HIV literacy, and skills. Multiple
linear regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between the variables.
Results:
There was an increase in PTG and a significant decrease in stigma in all domains and subscales in the EG. Compared to the
control group, stigma (t(42) = -3.040, p = 0.004) and negative
self-image (W = -2.937, p = 0.003) were significant, showing the
efficacy of the intervention.
Discussion:
The intervention demonstrated success in facilitating PTG, attesting that in order to increase PTG, personal strength, and spiritual change, it is necessary to reduce stigma and negative
self-image. The
research provides more information on group interventions for PTG in
HIV, relationships between variables, and
population-specific
knowledge for professionals.
