Mental Wellness and Adherence Self-Efficacy Among Adolescents Living with HIV in the Cape Town Metropole: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) face compounded health and psychosocial challenges while managing lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). Mental health difficulties among ALHIV are strongly associated with suboptimal adherence and disengagement from care. While mental illness is well documented, limited empirical evidence exists on the influence of positive mental wellness on adherence self-efficacy among ALHIV. This study assessed mental wellness among ALHIV and identified key psychosocial predictors of adherence self-efficacy in public healthcare facilities in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among ALHIV (N = 251) aged 10–19 years who were receiving ART at public healthcare facilities across the Cape Town metropole. Participants completed an electronic questionnaire that assessed ten mental wellness domains and adherence self-efficacy. Descriptive statistics were calculated to summarise participant characteristics and mental wellness scores, while Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression were done to identify associations and independent predictors of adherence self-efficacy using SPSS v29. Results: Most participants were aged 15–19 years (76.9%) and diagnosed with HIV at birth (68.9%). Mental wellness scores were high across all domains (M = 3.14–3.71). Hope (M = 3.71), spirituality (M = 3.58), and purpose in life (M = 3.52) were the highest-rated domains. All mental wellness domains were positively correlated with adherence self-efficacy (p < 0.001), with the strongest associations being purpose in life (r = 0.66), self-acceptance (r = 0.66) and resilience (r = 0.66). Hope (p < 0.001), resilience (p = 0.001), purpose in life (p = 0.03) and self-acceptance (p = 0.012) emerged as significant independent predictors. Conclusions: Positive mental wellness and adolescent-centred psychosocial support in routine HIV care may strengthen adherence self-efficacy and support adolescents’ confidence in managing treatment.