Influence of self-compassion on HIV-related stigma, health-related quality of life, and depression among HIV/AIDS patients

<i>Background</i>: People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) may experience HIV-related stigma, which could negatively impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and increase symptoms of depression. Self-compassion is a positive personality attribute that may protect PLWHA against stigmatisation. Previous studies have not examined the influence of self-compassion on the association between HIV-related stigma, HRQoL, and depression.<i>Aim</i>: The present study aimed to examine whether self-companion can moderate the relationship between (i) HIV-related stigma and HRQoL, and (ii) HIV-related stigma and depression among PLWHA.<i>Methodology</i>: Participants included 371 PLWHA (mean age = 31.44 years; SD = 9.75 years) recruited from a healthcare institution in Nigeria. Participants completed relevant self-report measures.<i>Results</i>: Regression analysis results showed that self-compassion positively and significantly moderated the relationship between HIV-related stigma and all the HRQoL domains (physical health symptoms, <i>β</i> = 0.01, <i>p</i> < 0. 05; relationship to others, <i>β</i> = 0.02, <i>p</i> < 0. 05; cognitive symptoms, <i>β</i> = 0.02, <i>p</i> < 0. 05; and treatment impacts, <i>β</i> = 0.02, <i>p</i> < 0. 05). Also, the positive relationship between HIV-related stigma and depression was significantly moderated by self-compassion (<i>β</i> = - 0.02, <i>p</i> < 0. 05).<i>Conclusion</i>: We concluded that clinical efforts geared towards improving the well-being of PLWHA should consider integrating self-compassion-based therapy since it has the potential to decrease the detrimental effects of stigma on the patients' health and recovery.