Attachment styles of people living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Factors that involve the dynamics in interpersonal relationships and may have consequences in health are still little explored in people living with HIV/AIDS. The aim was to identify the evidences of literature regarding adult attachment style and HIV. It is an Integrative literature review. Seven databases were explored, using the combination of key words and Boolean connectors: “Attachment Style OR Object Attachment AND HIV”. A reasonable number of articles addressed attachment among people with HIV as a mediator to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and stress. The prevalence of insecure attachment in this group was high. Evidence was also found in relation to the attachment as an important factor to adaptation to the diagnosis of HIV, attachment and behavior in interpersonal relationships, and emphasize the possibility of changing the attachment style.