Narratives, empathy concern and moral judgments in patients with HIV infection who decided not to tell about their diagnosis

Abstract

Consistent with social-cognitive theory (Bandura 1994), adherence problems to treatments and difficulties to acceptance HIV diagnosis are linked with deficits in self-efficacy as well as problems in perceived social norms and behavioral intentions. In this study we have presented the beliefs and narratives of a group of recently diagnosed HIV patients who voluntarily decided not to tell to family or couples about their diagnosis. According to the patients’ reports they believe they should not tell about their own physical condition. In a second approach, we have explored empathetic and moral behavior (by using a usual procedure used to keep track those cognitive domains) in this group of HIV patients and we compared that behavior with a group of healthy controls. Results revealed a particular and differential empathic concern, and discomfort sensitivity in HIV patients who no tell in contrast to healthy controls. Together, our results highlight the importance of exploring the reasons, fears, and the empathetic and moral determinants of those patients who not to tell about their diagnosis. Our results open a new door to explore new approaches to accompany patients with recent HIV diagnosis.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.