Logotherapy with the paradoxical intention technique to increase meaning in life and reduce hopelessness in people living with hiv/aids (ODHA)

¹ Trust Mental Health Centre, Indonesia.
² Faculty of Psychology, University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: zahroh@umm.ac.id

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is a condition that affects not only the physical aspects but also the psychological aspects, such as the emergence of hopelessness due to the loss of life’s meaning. This hopelessness can worsen the quality of life of ODHA and decrease their motivation to undergo treatment. Logotherapy, which focuses on finding the meaning of life, is believed to help ODHA rediscover their life’s meaning, which in turn can reduce hopelessness. The paradoxical intention technique used in this study helps ODHA face the fears and anxieties they experience, and strengthens their ability to take a more positive stance toward life and the future. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of logotherapy using the paradoxical intention technique to decrease hopelessness among People Living with HIV/AIDS (ODHA) that caused by lost of meaning in life. This study used a systematic case study method with three ODHA subjects experiencing hopelessness. Data were collected through interviews, self-reports, the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and the Purpose in Life Test (PIL). The results showed that logotherapy with the paradoxical intention technique was effective in increasing life meaning and reducing hopelessness in the three research subjects. Logotherapy with this technique can be a useful intervention to address the issue of hopelessness among ODHA.