Factors influencing self-concept among adolescents infected with HIV: a cross-sectional survey in China

OVERVIEW: The mental health problems of adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are important. It is of great significance to explore which factors can affect the self-evaluation and understanding of adolescents with HIV. OBJECTIVE: We found that adolescents with HIV have a lower level of self-concept than healthy adolescents. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing self-concept among adolescents with HIV in China. SETTING: A questionnaire was distributed among a total of 290 adolescents in Henan Province, China. One hundred and forty questionnaires were distributed in the case group (adolescents with HIV) and the control group (healthy adolescents) was issued 150 questionnaires. The Piers-Harris Children’s Self-concept Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire were adapted for a Chinese population. Differences between the groups were tested for significance using Student’s t-test, and analysis of variance was used to test continuous variables. The relationship between environmental personality factors and adolescent self-concept was examined by Pearson correlation analysis. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to model the effects of environmental personality factors on self-concept. RESULTS: The self-concept total score among adolescents with HIV was significantly lower than healthy adolescents (p<0.05). Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that age (β=−0.19, t=−2.16, p=0.03), perceived stress (β=−0.19, t=−2.22, p=0.03), perceived social support (β=0.26, t=3.25, p=0.00), positive coping style (β=0.50, t=5.75, p=0.00) and negative coping style (β=−0.45, t=−5.33, p=0.00) were significantly associated with self-concept total scores. CONCLUSIONS: The self-concept of adolescents with HIV is related to perceived stress, perceived social support and coping style. These findings underline the significance of self-concept among adolescents infected with HIV.