The effect of HIV/AIDS disease progression on spirituality and self-transcendence in a multicultural population

J Transcult Nurs. 2006 Jul;17(3):280-9. doi: 10.1177/1043659606288373.

Abstract

This study examined the relationship of sociodemographic and clinical factors with spirituality and self-transcendence in people with HIV/AIDS. It involved 420 HIV/AIDS patients from an HIV clinic who were predominantly Hispanic (79%) and male (82%), with a mean age of 39 years. Subjects completed spirituality, self-transcendence, health status, and depression scales. Medical charts were reviewed to obtain demographics, current therapies, depression diagnosis, CD4 cells (sometimes called T-cells), and viral load levels. Self-transcendence was related to levels of energy (p < .05) and acculturation (p < .05). Spirituality was related to levels of energy (p < .001) and pain (p < .02). Neither disease progression nor severity was related to self-transcendence or spirituality. The findings suggest the concept of self-transcendence may not be culturally meaningful to Hispanic patients. The development of valid and reliable tools specific for this population is important for future research.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / ethnology*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / psychology*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / ethnology*
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Los Angeles
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Self Concept*
  • Spirituality*