Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Spirituality and Optimism: A Holistic Approach to Component-Based, Self-management Treatment for HIV

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Religion and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

For people living with HIV (PLWH), spirituality and optimism have a positive influence on their health, can slow HIV disease progression, and can improve quality of life. Our aim was to describe longitudinal changes in spirituality and optimism after participation in the SystemCHANGE™-HIV intervention. Upon completion of the intervention, participants experienced an 11.5 point increase in overall spiritual well-being (p = 0.036), a 6.3 point increase in religious well-being (p = 0.030), a 4.8 point increase in existential well-being (p = 0.125), and a 0.8 point increase in total optimism (p = 0.268) relative to controls. Our data suggest a group-based self-management intervention increases spiritual well-being in PLWH.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alemi, F. M. S., & Baghi, H. (2008). Self-experiments and analytical relapse prevention. Quality Management in Health care, 17(1), 53–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alemi, F. N. D., Ardito, S., Headrick, L., Moore, S., Hekelman, F., & Norman, L. (2000). Continuous self-improvement: Systems thinking in a personal context. The Joint Commission journal on quality improvement, 26(2), 74–86.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bedford, F. (2012). A perception theory in mind-body medicine: Guided imagery and mindful meditation as cross-modal adaptation. Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, 19, 24–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrico, A. W., Ironson, G., Antoni, M. H., Lechner, S. C., Durán, R. E., Kumar, M., et al. (2006). A path model of the effects of spirituality on depressive symptoms and 24-hurinary-free cortisol in HIV-positive persons. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 61(1), 51–58. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2006.04.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Segerstrom, S. C. (2010). Optimism. Clinical Psychology Review, 30, 879–889.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, C. L., & Holzemer, W. L. (1999). Spirituality, psychological well-being, and HIV symptoms for African Americans living with HIV disease. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 10(1), 42–50. doi:10.1016/s1055-3290(06)60231-8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cotton, S., Tsevat, J., Szaflarski, M., Kudel, I., Sherman, S. N., Feinberg, J., et al. (2006). Changes in religiousness and spirituality attributed to HIV/AIDS: Are there sex and race differences? Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21(S5), S14–S20. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2006.00641.x.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dalmida, S. H., Holstad, M. M., Diiorio, C., & Laderman, G. (2009). Spiritual well-being, depressive symptoms, and immune status among women living with HIV/AIDS. Women and Health, 49(2–3), 119–143.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dalmida, S., Holstad, M., DiIorio, C., & Laderman, G. (2011). Spiritual well-being and health-related quality of life among African-American women with HIV/AIDS. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 6(2), 139–157. doi:10.1007/s11482-010-9122-6.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ehri, R., West, S. G., & Sousa, K. H. (2009). Mediation and moderation: Testing relationships between symptom status, functional health, and quality of life in HIV patients. [Article]. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 44(2), 213–232. doi:10.1080/00273170902794222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eke, A., Wilkes, A., & Juarlyn, G. (2010). Organized religion and the fight against HIV/AIDS in the black community: The role of the black church. In D. McCree, K. Jones, & A. O’Leary (Eds.), African Americans and HIV/AIDS (pp. 38–56). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, C. W. (1983). Spiritual well-being: Conceptualization and measurement. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 11, 330–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiori, K. L., Brown, E. E., Cortina, K. S., & Antonucci, T. C. (2006). Locus of control as a mediator of the relationship between religiosity and life satisfaction: Age, race, and gender differences. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 9(3), 239–263. doi:10.1080/13694670600615482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gay, C., Portillo, C. J., Kelly, R., Coggins, T., Davis, H., Aouizerat, B. E., et al. (2011). Self-reported medication adherence and symptom experience in adults with HIV. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 22(4), 257–268. doi:10.1016/j.jana.2010.11.004.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Humpel, N., Owen, N., & Leslie, E. (2002). Environmental factors associated with adults’ participation in physical activity: A review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 22(3), 188–199. doi:10.1016/s0749-3797(01)00426-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ironson, G., & Kremer, H. (2009). Spiritual transformation, psychologicla well-being, health, and survivial in people with HIV. International Journal of Psychiatry Medicine, 39(3), 263–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ironson, G., Stuetzle, R., & Fletcher, M. A. (2006). An increase in religiousness/spirituality occurs after HIV diagnosis and predicts slower disease progression over 4 years in people with HIV. [Article]. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21, S62–S68. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2006.00642.x.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ironson, G., Stuetzle, R., Ironson, D., Balbin, E., Kremer, H., George, A., et al. (2011). View of god as benevolent and forgiving or punishing and judgmental predicts HIV disease progression. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 34(6), 414–425. doi:10.1007/s10865-011-9314-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kemppainen, J., Bormann, J. E., Shively, M., Kelly, A., Becker, S., Bone, P., et al. (2012). Living with HIV: Responses to a mantram intervention using the critical incident research method. J Altern Complement Med, 18, 76–82.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kremer, H., Ironson, G., & Porr, M. (2009a). Spiritual and mind–body beliefs as barriers and motivators to HIV-treatment decision-making and medication adherence: A qualitative study. AIDS, Patient Care and STDs, 23(2), 127–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kremer, H., Ironson, G. H., & Porr, M. (2009b). Spiritual and mind-body beliefs as barriers and motivators to HIV-treatment decision-making and medication adherence? a qualitative study. AIDS Patient Care STDS, 23, 127–134.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kudel, I., Cotton, S., Szaflarski, M., Holmes, W., & Tsevat, J. (2011). Spirituality and religiosity in patients with hiv: A test and expansion of a model. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 41(1), 92–103. doi:10.1007/s12160-010-9229-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laperriere, A., Ironson, G. H., Antoni, M. H., Pomm, H., Jones, D., Ishii, M., et al. (2005). Decreased depression up to 1 year following CBSM + intervention in depressed women with AIDS: The smart/EST women project. Journal of Health Psychology, 10(2), 223–231. doi:10.1177/1359105305049772.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Löckenhoff, C. E., Ironson, G. H., O’Cleirigh, C., & Costa, J. P. T. (2009). Five-factor model personality traits, spirituality/religiousness, and mental health among people living with HIV [Article]. Journal of Personality, 77(5), 1411–1436. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2009.00587.x.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCullough, M. E., Hoyt, W. T., Larson, D. B., Koenig, H. G., & Thoresen, C. (2000). Religious involvement and mortality: A meta-analytic review. Health Psychology, 19(3), 211–222. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.19.3.211.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Owen, A., Haywood, D., & Toussaint, L. (2011). Forgiveness and immune functioning in people living with HIV-AIDS. Washington DC: Paper presented at the Society of Behaivoral Medicine.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, J. (2011). The effects of perceived age, religiosity, and spirituality on subjective well-being in middle and later life. Doctor of Philosophy, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany. (UMI Number: 3466754).

  • Park, J. L. (2012). Introducing existential spirituality. Retrieved from an existential philosopher’s museum website: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/CY-XSP.html.

  • Pérez, J. E., Chartier, M., Koopman, C., Vosvick, M., Gore-Felton, C., & Spiegel, D. (2009). Spiritual striving, acceptance coping, and depressive symptoms among adults living with HIV/AIDS. Journal of Health Psychology, 14(1), 88–97. doi:10.1177/1359105308097949.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, K. D., Mock, K. S., Bopp, C. M., Dudgeon, W. A., & Hand, G. A. (2006). Spiritual well-being, sleep disturbance, and mental and physical health status in HIV-infected individuals. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 27(2), 125–139. doi:10.1080/01612840500436917.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen, H., Scheier, M., & Greenhouse, J. (2009). Optimism and physical health: A meta-analytic review. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 37(3), 239–256. doi:10.1007/s12160-009-9111-x.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ridge, D., Williams, I., Anderson, J., & Elford, J. (2008). Like a prayer: The role of spirituality and religion for people living with HIV in the UK. Sociology of Health and Illness, 30(3), 413–428. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9566.2007.01062.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ruppik, M., Ledergerber, B., Rickenbach, M., Furrer, H., Battegay, M., Cavassini, M., Study, S. H. C. (2011). Causes of Death in Treated HIV. Paper presented at the Council on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Boston, MA.

  • Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1985). Optimism, coping, and health: Assessment and implications of generalized outcome expectancies. Health Psychol, 4, 219–247.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Segerstrom, S. C. (2005). Optimism and immunity: Do positive thoughts always lead to positive effects? Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 19(3), 195–200. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2004.08.003.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sloan, R. (1999). Religion, spirituality, and medicine. The Lancet, 353(9153), 664.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Szaflarski, M., Ritchey, P. N., Leonard, A. C., Mrus, J. M., Peterman, A. H., Ellison, C. G., et al. (2006). Modeling the effects of spirituality/religion on patients’ perceptions of living with HIV/AIDS. J Gen Intern Med, 21(Suppl 5), S28–S38.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, Y. Y. (2011). Mechanism of integrative body-mind training. Neuroscience Bulletin, 27(6), 383–388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarakeshwar, N., Pearce, M. J., & Sikkema, K. J. (2005). Development and implementation of a spiritual coping group intervention for adults living with HIV/AIDS: A pilot study. [Article]. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 8(3), 179–190. doi:10.1080/13694670500138908.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trevino, K. M., Pargament, K. I., Cotton, S., Leonard, A. C., Hahn, J., Caprini-Faigin, C. A., et al. (2010). Religious coping and physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual outcomes in patients with HIV/AIDS: Cross-sectional and longitudinal findings. AIDS and Behavior, 14(2), 379–389. doi:10.1007/s10461-007-9332-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tsevat, J., Leonard, A., Szaflarski, M., Sherman, S., Cotton, S., Mrus, J., et al. (2009). Change in quality of life after being diagnosed with HIV: A multicenter longitudinal study. AIDS patient care and STDs, 21(11), 931–937.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wantland, D. J., Holzemer, W. L., Moezzi, S., Willard, S. S., Arudo, J., Kirksey, K. M., et al. (2008). A randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of an HIV/AIDS symptom management manual. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 36(3), 235–246. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2007.10.011.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Webel, A. R., & Higgins, P. (2012). The relationship between social roles and self-management behavior in women living with HIV/AIDS. Women’s Health Issues, 22(1), e27–e33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webel, A. R., Dolansky, M., Henry, A., & Salata, R. (2012a). A qualitative description of women’s HIV self-management techniques: Context, strategies, and considerations. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 23(4), 281–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webel, A., Moore, S., Hanson, J., Patel, S., Schmotzer, B., & Salata, R. (2012b). Improving sleep hygiene behavior in adults living with HIV/AIDS: A randomized control pilot study of the SystemCHANGE™-HIV intervention. Applied Nursing Research. doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2012.10.002.

  • Weiss, S., Jonathan, N., Tobin, J., Antoni, Michael, Ironson, Gail, Ishii, Mary, et al. (2011). Enhancing the health of women living with HIV: The smart/EST women’s project. International Journal of Women’s Health, 3(1), 63–77. doi:10.2147/IJWHS5947.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yi, M. S., Mrus, J. M., Wade, T. J., Ho, M. L., Hornung, R. W., Cotton, S., et al. (2006). Religion, spirituality, and depressive symptoms in patients with HIV/AIDS. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21(Suppl 5), S21–S27.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the women and men who participated in this study, our clinical colleagues including Jane Baum, Robert Bucklew, Sheila Garven, Barbara Gripsholver, Isabel Hilliard, Jason McMinn, and Julie Ziegler. The project described was supported by the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease through Grant P30AI36219; National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Grants 5KL2RR024990 and UL1RR024989; and the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care/Sigma Theta Tau. The contents of this article are solely the views of the authors and do not represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Jordan Brown

  2. Department of Anthropology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Jan E. Hanson

  3. Center for Clinical Investigation, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Brian Schmotzer

  4. Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106-4904, USA

    Allison R. Webel

Authors
  1. Jordan Brown
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jan E. Hanson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Brian Schmotzer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Allison R. Webel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Allison R. Webel.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Brown, J., Hanson, J.E., Schmotzer, B. et al. Spirituality and Optimism: A Holistic Approach to Component-Based, Self-management Treatment for HIV. J Relig Health 53, 1317–1328 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9722-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9722-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation