Assessment of Resilience and Social Behavior among Adolescents Living with HIV/AIDs at Mater Comprehensive Care Clinic In Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Adolescents Living with HIV (ALWHIV) in Kenya face multidimensional challenges that compromise their psychological well-being and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study examined the relationship between resilience and social behavior among ALWHIV attending the Mater Comprehensive Care Clinic (MCCC) in Nairobi County. Employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the research integrated quantitative data from 119 adolescents with qualitative insights from focus group discussions. Standardized instruments, including the Resilience Scale and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), were used to assess resilience, social behavior (stigma, self-perception, peer interaction), and medication adherence. Findings indicated that 68.1% of participants exhibited moderate resilience, while 16.8% demonstrated low resilience. Social behavior was characterized by high perceived stigma (M = 3.78), low self-perception (M = 2.94), and variable peer interactions. Medication adherence was suboptimal, with only 31.1% of adolescents reporting high adherence. A strong positive correlation was found between resilience and social behavior (r = 0.71, p < 0.001), suggesting that higher resilience enhances psychosocial functioning and buffers against stigma and emotional distress. These results highlight the importance of integrated psychosocial interventions, including resilience training, peer support systems, and caregiver engagement, to strengthen ART adherence and promote mental health among ALWHIV. The study contributes to the growing evidence base supporting adolescent-centered HIV care models in sub-Saharan Africa.