The relationship between attachment styles and religious coping styles with mental health among HIV+ patients

Study of psychological factors affecting HIV-related mental illnesses is vital in promoting mental health of HIV patients. Among these factors are attachment styles and religious coping styles, which relation with mental health is studied in this study.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 120 HIV+ patients in counseling centers in Shiraz, were randomly selected. After completing consent form, patients were studied via Revised Adult’s Attachment Styles (RAAS) by Collins and Reid, Religious Coping Styles Scale by Bodroxand General Mental Health(GHQ) by Goldberg.

Analysis of variance showed that HIV+ patients with secure attachment styles have better mental health than patients with both avoidant and anxious-ambivalent insecure attachment styles (P<0.001). Independent t-test showed that patients who use positive religious coping more frequently (P=0.007), have better mental health. To predict mental health based on secure attachment styles and religious coping styles, multiple regression method was used. Results indicated that among HIV+ patients secure attachment styles is the most important predictor of mental health.

Results indicated that higher positive religious coping and secure attachment styles can result in bettermental health of HIV+ patients.