Conceptualisation and operationalisation of mental wellness: Developing an instrument to measure mental wellness among adolescents living with HIV in South Africa

Abstract

Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) are a key population in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The comparatively poorer treatment outcomes of ALHIV in relation to child and adult HIV populations indicate the need for a health response to improve adolescent ART service delivery. Research suggests that improving mental wellness may be imperative to improving HIV-treatment behaviours such as long-term adherence and engagement in care. However, little is known about what mental wellness means for ALHIV. It is further unknown what critical mental wellness concepts should be targeted in adolescent interventions. Ultimately, understanding mental wellness in ALHIV is essential to design programmes that will help them navigate their chronic condition to lead healthy and productive lives.