Hubungan Dukungan Keluarga dengan Tingkat Kesepian pada ODHA (Orang dengan HIV/AIDS) di Puskesmas Puger Kabupaten Jember

Abstract

People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) often face significant challenges, such as negative stigma and discrimination, which can lead to feelings of social isolation. This isolation may contribute to loneliness, adversely affecting the mental health of PLWHA. In this context, the role of family as the primary source of support becomes crucial, especially in societies that have not fully accepted PLWHA, to help alleviate their loneliness. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between family support and loneliness among PLWHA.The study employed a correlational design with a cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 133 PLWHA, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Family Support Questionnaire and the UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3 and analysed using the Kendall tau C correlation test with a significance level of 0.05.The results revealed a significant negative relationship between family support and loneliness among PLWHA (r = -0.724, p = 0.000). Higher levels of family support were associated with lower levels of loneliness in PLWHA.This study highlights the importance of openness between PLWHA and their families regarding health conditions. Such openness can enable PLWHA to receive meaningful family support, which effectively reduces loneliness and enhances their mental well-being.