title: Spirituality and religiosity in patients with HIV: a test and expansion of a model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A causal model developed by Koenig suggests that higher levels of spirituality and religiosity effect intermediary variables and eventually result in better mental health, which then positively affects physical function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Using structural equation modeling, we tested the model and expanded versions that use self-report data of patients with HIV (n = 345).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All models demonstrated good overall fit with significant parameters. The final model found that increased spirituality/religiosity predicted increased religious coping, which influenced social support. Social support, in turn, positively influenced depressed mood (as a measure of mental health); depressed mood affected fatigue; and both variables predicted self-reported physical function. These three variables predicted health rating/utility for one's health state. Additional analyses found that two covariates, religiosity and race, differentially predicted spirituality/religiosity and religious coping.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with HIV, an expanded version of Koenig's model found that increased spirituality/religiosity is positively associated with self-reported outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, OH, USA. ian.kudel2@va.gov
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kudel
authors.forename: Sian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cotton
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szaflarski
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tsevat
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012067:Religion; D057566:Self Report; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D055815:Young Adult