title: The effect of HIV/AIDS disease progression on spirituality and self-transcendence in a multicultural population.
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.
authors.affiliation: Los Angeles County & University of Southern California Healthcare Network, USA.
authors.forename: Lois
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ramer
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Mary Theresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Barrett
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D029181:Spirituality