Abstract:
This study investigated self-esteem, personality-type and gender as factors in self-disclosure
of persons living with HIV/AIDS. Three hundred (300) persons living with HIV/AIDS (120
males and 180 females) aged 18-60 years with a mean age of 39 participated in the study.
Three instruments were used for data collection: Index of self-esteem (ISE), Eysenck’s
Personality Questionnaire (EPQ)-Adult, and Self-Disclosure Index (SDI). The result
indicated that self-esteem - F(1,292) = 16.12, p < .001, and personality-type - F(1,292) =
27.72, p < .001 were statistically significant factors in self-disclosure, where participants with
high self-esteem, and those who are extraverted scored higher than their counterparts in selfdisclosure.
A very significant interaction was found between self-esteem and personality
type. It was concluded that Psychological tools and therapy should be fully exploited in
facilitating the self-esteem of persons living with HIV/AIDS to enable them reach out to
other persons in openness for necessary psychosocial support.
