Mediational models of spirituality and depressive symptomatology among HIV-positive Puerto Rican women.

Abstract

A survey of 142 Puerto Rican women living with HIV/AIDS in New York City revealed high Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scores, with 66% of the sample scoring above the conventional threshold of possible clinical depression. Most respondents (71%) were Catholic, 29% considered themselves members of a church or other place of worship, and 30% reported attending religious services 1-3 times a month. As predicted, spirituality was high and negatively associated with CES-D scores. A series of simultaneous multiple regression analyses controlling for all potentially confounding medical and sociodemographic variables demonstrated that both mastery and self-esteem scores mediated this relationship. Implications for future research and the provision of services to HIV-positive Puerto Rican women are discussed.

Psychological Health and Meaning in Life: Stress, Social Support, and Religious Coping in Latina and Latino Immigrants

“…Although statistical analyses of differences were not conducted, the participants in this study seemed to endorse religious coping items higher than a sample of medically ill patients (see Pargament et al, 2004) on six of the seven dimensions of interest in current the study. This finding is consistent with literature which suggested that Latinas and Latinos are likely to turn to religion as a coping mechanism (e.g., Abraído-Lanza, 2004;Mausbach et al, 2003;Santiago-Rivera, 2005;Simoni & Ortiz, 2003).…”

“…Another recent study of Puerto Rican women living with HIV highlighted the importance of spirituality as a buffer against depression (Simoni & Ortiz, 2003). Overall, Latinas reported high levels of spirituality, and reported attending religious services with some regularity.…”

Fatalism or Destiny? A Qualitative Study and Interpretative Framework on Dominican Women’s Breast Cancer Beliefs

“…Therefore, fatalism, as rooted in religious beliefs, may be better represented with themes related to acceptance, as in "what God sends, one has to accept" [18, p. 441], or to frameworks for interpreting events in terms of a greater purpose or "grander plan" [31, p. 55]. The connection between religiosity and fatalism may be particularly salient among some Latino groups, for whom religiosity is embedded in an overarching belief system that helps individuals to cope with stressful events, and promotes physical and psychological well-being [32][33][34][35][36]. Religious beliefs centering on God as a "partner" [37] may actually counteract fatalistic tendencies by increasing Latinos' sense of mastery and ability to cope with disease by providing hope in their lives, and by strengthening self-esteem and social support networks.…”

Religión y espiritualidad, una mirada del estigma frente al VIH/SIDA: revisión literaria

“…Estos síntomas fueron relacionados con un estado de salud deteriorado, con inadecuadas percepciones acerca de la enfermedad (15,16), menor apoyo social, y menor bienestar espiritual (17,18). En lo que concierne al modelo paciente-enfermedad, ya se ha expuesto que si hay altos niveles de depresión en el paciente, esto puede llevar a disminuir los recuentos celulares de linfocitos CD 4 (19,20), los cuales son la base del deterioro del sistema inmunológico y su disminución ocasiona una inmunosupresión con las correspondientes infecciones oportunistas que se pueden desarrollar.…”