Emotional distress and illness behavior in HIV/AIDS and cancer patients

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present data as to emotional distress and illness behavior of HIV patients when compared to cancer patients and the general population. The sample consisted of 180 subjects. Questionnaires were used to evaluate: trait anxiety, state anxiety, depression, self-esteem, abnormal illness behavior, perceived social support and interference through illness. The results indicate that HIV patients have a psychological profile with higher trait and state anxiety, significantly higher levels of depression, and significantly lower self-esteem than the other groups. Furthermore, HIV patients worry more about their health, perceive significantly less social support than cancer patients and a higher interference from the illness in their lives. Our conclusion points at the need for a specific therapeutic approach for HIV patients that takes into consideration their differential profile when com-pared to other major diseases.