Personality functioning in people living with HIV

Abstract

This investigation adopted a multiple case study approach to determine the personality functioning in people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA). Participants comprised a convenience sample of four PLWHA (male = 3, female = 1). The majority of the participants were white (n = 3) and one was black African. Only one participant was married at the time of participation. Data on aspects such as their suicidal ideation, affect, problem solving styles, ego functioning, self-perception, and interpersonal functioning were collected using the Rorschach inkblot test and clinical interview. The data were actuarially analysed and organised under themes, namely; dominant personality style, capacity for control and stress, situational related stress, affect, interpersonal relations and self-perception. Findings revealed that participants had high levels of potential mood disorders and interpersonal difficulties for which targeted psychological services may be needed.

Keywords:

• HIV/AIDS
• mental health
• psychological functioning
• Rorschach inkblot test

Acknowledgements

A special thank you to David Lewis Wilson, clinical psychologist, who assisted as expert in the Rorschach data coding and interpretation, as well as Prof Vedagiri Ganesan, for his support.