ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF GROUP COUNSELING ON THE COPPING BEHAVIOUR OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN YAKURR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, CROSS RIVER STATE

HIV/AIDS epidemic has become a worrisome phenomenon and individual carrier of the infection suffers from several mental health consequences. The infection is associated with enormous trauma of which stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) remain the major psychological stresses. The study examined the effect of group counseling on the copping behavior of people living with HIV/AIDS in Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State. The study was carried out in four purposively selected centers one each in Ugep, Ekori, Mkpani and Assiga. Data were obtained through the administration of 120 copies of questionnaire to PLWHA. PLWHA were divided into two groups, individual counseling and group counseling based on routine visits to their counsellors. Data obtained were analysed using tables, charts, simple percentages, independent samples test and Chi Square. The result showed that the age and psychosocial behavior of subjects exposed to group and individual counselling differed significantly (p0.05). The Chi Square result further revealed that group counseling had significant effect on the psychosocial behavior of people living with HIV/AIDS (p