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

Introduction: 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

Materials and Methods: 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

Results: 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

Conclusion: 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 better mental health of HIV+patients

Personality disorders and coping strategies in female sex-workers

The aim of the present study was to assess the rate of personality disorders and coping strategies in female sex-workers. In this observational cross-sectional study 30 female sex-workers who were selected using convenience sampling, completed the Structured Clinical Interview DSM-IV axis H disorders [SCID-II] and Billings Coping Style Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings showed a prevalence of 90% for personality disorders, with passive-aggressive personality disorder having the highest prevalence of 53.3%. Also, schizotypal personality disorder was not present in subjects. Among coping strategies, emotion-focused coping [56.7%] and somatization-focused coping [23.3%] were the most prevalent. Considering the high prevalence of personality disorder among female sex-workers and their high use of emotion-focused coping in confronting life events, training this group with coping and problem solving skills is recommended