The role of self-compassion and shame in persons living with HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT

Despite the connection between self-compassion, shame, and HIV/AIDS health outcomes in the literature, little is known about the relationship among these variables. Shame and self-compassion work independently of each other and experiences of shame can impede one’s ability to engage in self-compassionate responses, which could prevent future health declines. Although shame has been found to mediate the relationship between self-compassion and a variety of mental health outcomes, it has not been examined in the context of HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the current study was to examine how shame mediates the relationship of self-compassion and adherence to HIV/AIDS medications, as well as how shame mediates the relationship of self-compassion and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in people living with HIV (PLWH). This is the first study to look at trait-based shame in PLWH in a sample of 34 patients at an urban outpatient integrated care facility for PLWH. Self-compassion was not correlated with HIV adherence behaviors or HRQL, and shame did not mediate the relationship between self-compassion and adherence or HRQL. However as expected, less shame was related to and predicted better HRQL in PLWH. Self-compassion’ relationship to shame, adherence, and HRQL may be context dependent.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV/AIDS
• quality of life
• adherence
• self-compassion
• shame

Acknowledgments

Special thanks are given to Katie O’Dell, M.A., for her time, attention to detail, and formidable editing skills.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Raw data is stored in the Psychology Department of La Salle University.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for participation was provided from the personal funds of the primary investigator.