Longstanding emotional and relational issues in people with HIV
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing a model of living with HIV in individuals with personality-related difficulties
IRAS ID
243185
Contact name
Emma Larsson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Holloway, University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
In this study we aim to explore the impact of personality-related difficulties in individuals living with HIV. There is a high prevalence of personality-related difficulties in individuals living with HIV. Personality traits and early life experiences are key processes in how individuals adapt to a chronic illness. Personality difficulties may increase one’s risk of HIV and lead to poorer outcomes following diagnosis; such as challenges with treatment adherence, engagement with care, difficulty with interpersonal skills and expression of needs. Despite severe consequences and poor outcomes, there is limited literature on personality-related difficulties and wellbeing in HIV. No study has explored the self-reported experience of living with HIV in individuals with personality-related difficulties
This study hopes to develop a model of the experience of living with HIV in individuals with personality-related difficulties. It aims to focus on individuals scoring above clinical cut off for cluster B (i.e. borderline, narcissistic, histrionic and anti-social) personality disorders according to the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) as suggested by a screening measure. Participants will be recruited from HIV services. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted and the data will be analysed using the qualitative method of grounded theory.
The model would hope to assist with the development of effective treatments, such as treatment focused on HIV adjustment for individuals with comorbid personality-related difficulties and HIV. In addition, we hope a greater understanding of the comorbidity will help further treatment in other areas such as medication adherence and how to manage other common mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0962
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion