Background & Objectives: This study aimed to determine the associations among social capital, the experience and perception of suffering, and happiness in patients with AIDS. A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design was employed. The study was conducted at the Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center in Fars Province, southern Iran, from February to March 2025.
Materials & Methods: To account for an anticipated 15% loss of participants, 127 questionnaires were initially distributed. After completion of data collection, 120 questionnaires were deemed valid, corresponding to a response rate of 94.48%. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Social Capital Assessment Tool (SOCAT), the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), and the Schulz Perceived Suffering Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25 and included descriptive and inferential statistical procedures.
Results: The mean ± standard deviation score for social capital among the patients was 45.40 ± 8.99. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a significant inverse association between the experience and perception of suffering and happiness (p < 0.001). In contrast, social capital was positively associated with happiness (p < 0.001). the analysis using linear regression showed that economic condition ( B=4.161, P < 0.05 ) and social capital ( B=0.487, P < 0.001 ), emerged as the strongest predictors of happiness among patients. The variables of economic conditions ( B=-8.596, P < 0.05 )  and social capital condition ( B=-0.544, P < 0.05 )  served as the most powerful predictors of patient suffering .
Conclusion: The findings indicated that greater social capital, particularly trust and a sense of cohesion, was associated with a lower experience and perception of suffering and greater happiness among patients with AIDS. Accordingly, interventions such as support groups could be developed to strengthen social capital, alongside programs aimed at addressing economic inequality.