PERCEPTIONS OF CONTROL AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN RELATION TO PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT TO HIV AIDS

People living with HIV and AIDS face multiple adaptive challenges. Since they are now living longer, more attention is being focused on their adjustment to living with the infection. Previous research suggests that social support and sense of control are crucial resources in fostering positive adjustment and emotional well-being. This study examined perceptions of social support, in terms of family support and friend support; locus of control; and their relationships to psychosocial adjustment to living with HIV/AIDS. The results of this study reveal that social support is positively associated with adjustment but that locus of control is not. The findings provide empirical evidence that clinical services should focus on mobilizing social support systems, especially friend support. Additional research is needed to further examine the roles of family and friend support and the role of locus of control in psychosocial adjustment to living with HIV/AIDS.