Beyond HIV Shame: Effects of Self-Forgiveness in Improving Mental Health in HIV-Positive Individuals in Poland.
Sebastian Binyamin SkalskiLoren L ToussaintJanusz SurzykiewiczPublished in: Journal of religion and health (2024)
Guided by the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual approach, this randomized controlled trial assessed the efficacy of a self-forgiveness intervention among 60 HIV-positive individuals in Poland. Participants underwent a 90-min "Restore: The Journey Toward Self-Forgiveness" session, in contrast to a wait-list control group. The intervention significantly enhanced self-forgiveness, spirituality, mental well-being, and heart rate variability in response to a cognitive stressor (i.e., a mental arithmetic challenge). Significant effects were observed in both between-group and within-subject comparisons. These results support the incorporation of self-forgiveness into psychological rehabilitation programs for HIV to improve quality of life and health outcomes.
Keyphrases
- hiv positive
- randomized controlled trial
- men who have sex with men
- antiretroviral therapy
- mental health
- heart rate variability
- south africa
- hiv testing
- hiv infected
- human immunodeficiency virus
- heart rate
- study protocol
- hiv aids
- public health
- blood pressure
- high intensity
- magnetic resonance imaging
- systematic review
- physical activity
- sleep quality
- advanced cancer
- contrast enhanced