The main objective of this study was to investigate some modalities of coping, including the religious coping (RC), educational level and health condition (symptomatic or asymptomatic to aids) that predict positive and negative affect in sample consisted of 110 HIV positive patients, 68,2% males, between 21 and 60 years old. Proceedings included the assisted application of sociodemografic, medical-clinical and religious beliefs and practices questionnaires, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, the Ways of Coping Scale and the Brazilian version of the BriefRCOPE. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the emotion-focused coping was the strongest (negative) predictor, followed by problem-focused coping (8%) and positive RC (2%) which explained a total of 30% (adjusted) of variance of positive affect. As to negative affect, the emotion-focused coping and problem-focused coping (negative) making 36% (adjusted) of the explained variance. These results may be used for interventions with patients and their families concerning the possible effects of coping and positive and negative RC in the illness-health process.
Religiosity; coping; HIV/AIDS
