Resilience of People Living with HIV in Indonesia: Constraints and Challenges

Abstract

Objective: People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) experience psychosocial problems during their treatment process. In such circumstances, resilience in PLHIV is a crucial factor in improving their medication adherence and quality of life. This study aims to explore resilience in PLHIV. Methods: A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was employed to explore resilience in Indonesian PLHIV. In-depth interviews were conducted with twelve PLHIV who were selected purposively based on certain inclusion criteria. All participants were registered in the outpatient clinic of top referral hospitals in Surabaya in April 2023. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results: The majority of PLHIV who participated in this study were women and had been married. Most participants had been diagnosed with HIV and had been on treatment for two years. Four themes were identified from the data: self-acceptance, spiritual satisfaction, personal competence, and hopefulness. Conclusion: The findings indicated that PLHIV accepted their current condition despite the challenges they faced due to stigma and rejection. They stated that acceptance led to physical, psychological, and social satisfaction. The findings of this study serve provide insight for nurses in maintaining resilience in PLHIV.