Objective To investigate the current status and influencing factors of learned helplessness in people living with HIV/AIDS, and to provide a theoretical reference for developing targeted intervention measures. Methods A total of 304 people living with HIV/AIDS managed by a tertiary hospital in Nanning were surveyed from March to August 2025 using the general information questionnaire, the Learned Helplessness Scale (LHS), the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Brife Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Results The score of learned helplessness in people living with HIV/AIDS was (67.80±6.70). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that marital status, disease duration, medical coping styles, social support, illness perceptions, and psychological resilience were significant influencing factors of learned helplessness in people living with HIV/AIDS (all P<0.05). Conclusion People living with HIV/AIDS have a high level of learned helplessness. Medical staff should provide targeted guidance based on these influencing factors to reduce learned helplessness in people living with HIV/AIDS.