Journal of Advanced Biomedical Sciences

en Investigating the Relationship Between Social Capital, Experience and Perception of Suffering, and Happiness in Patients with AIDS Referring to the Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center in Fars Province, Southern Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study روانپزشكي Psychiatry پژوهشي Research <h1 style="text-align: justify;">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.</h1> AIDS, Social Capital, Suffering, Happiness 0 0 http://jabs.fums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-3551-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mostafa Bijani مصطفی بیژنی bizhani_mostafa@yahoo.com 100319475328460031159 100319475328460031159 No Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran گروه پرستاری داخلی–جراحی، دانشکده پرستاری، دانشگاه علوم پزشکی فسا، فسا، ایران Zahra Bastaninejad زهرا باستانی نژاد zbastaninejadnurse@gmail.com 100319475328460031160 0009-0007-7307-1503 No School of Allied Medical Sciences, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran دانشکده پیراپزشکی، دانشگاه علوم پزشکی فسا، فسا، ایران Farzaneh Majidi فرزانه مجیدی farzanehmajidi1357@gmail.com 100319475328460031161 0009-0001-3418-4579 No Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran مرکز مشاوره بیماری‌های رفتاری، دانشگاه علوم پزشکی فسا، فسا، ایران Azizallah Dehghan عزیز اله دهقان dehghanaz@gmail.com 100319475328460031162 100319475328460031162 No Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center (NCDRC). Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran مرکز تحقیقات بیماری‌های غیرواگیر، دانشگاه علوم پزشکی فسا، فسا، ایران Afsaneh Parvin افسانه پروین afsanhprwyn3@gmail.com 100319475328460031163 100319475328460031163 Yes Department of Nursing, School of Nursing Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran گروه پرستاری، دانشکده پرستاری، دانشگاه علوم پزشکی فسا، فسا، ایران