Background: a person's time perspective can be an important variable for the understanding of behaviours that interfere with the quality of life of people living with HIV.
Aims: to analyse the relationships between socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioural variables and the time perspective in Brazilians living with HIV.
Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 281 people living with HIV in Brazil. The time perspective was evaluated using the Zimbardo Temporal Perspective Inventory (ZTPI-25).
Results: the main findings indicate that people living with HIV are more oriented towards a future and positive past perspective, and that socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioural factors may influence the different temporal perspective constructs in people living with HIV.
Conclusion: health professionals can use the results of the present study to support strategies that encourage individuals living with HIV to self-care and lead healthier lives.
Keywords: Brazil; HIV; Health-related behaviours; Health-related quality of life; Self-care; Time perception.