The Case for Connection: Spirituality and Social Support for Women Living with HIV/AIDS

Peterson, Jennifer

doi:10.1080/00909882.2011.608700

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…The women in this study reported feeling real and anticipated HIV stigma from their church communities, limiting disclosure and participation at church and depriving them of an important source of social support. Studies have found that HIV stigma present in African American churches may explain HIV-infected African American women’s preference for engaging in private spiritual practice (Cotton et al, 2006; Foster, 2009; Peterson, 2009; Vance, Brennan, Enah, Smith, & Kaur, 2011). The women’s perspectives in our study drew particular attention to the conflict that can exist between the tremendous potential benefit from a church community and spiritual life and the limitations they encountered in fully engaging due to the issues of HIV-related stigma and disclosure, a conflict that may be particularly strong among older women in the South.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I Should Know Better”: The Roles of Relationships, Spirituality, Disclosure, Stigma, and Shame for Older Women Living With HIV Seeking Support in the South

Grodensky

Golin

Jones

et al. 2015

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

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The population of older people living with HIV in the United States is growing. Little is known about specific challenges older HIV-infected women face in coping with the disease and its attendant stressors. To understand these issues for older women, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 15 women (13 African American, 2 Caucasian) 50 years of age and older (range 50–79) in HIV care in the Southeastern United States, and coded transcripts for salient themes. Many women felt isolated and inhibited from seeking social connection due to reluctance to disclose their HIV status, which they viewed as more shameful at their older ages. Those receiving social support did so mainly through relationships with family and friends, rather than romantic relationships. Spirituality provided great support for all participants, although fear of disclosure led several to restrict connections with a church community. Community-level stigma-reduction programs may help older HIV-infected women receive support.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I Should Know Better”: The Roles of Relationships, Spirituality, Disclosure, Stigma, and Shame for Older Women Living With HIV Seeking Support in the South

Grodensky

Golin

Jones

et al. 2015

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

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show abstract

“…Previous research has demonstrated variations in the way religion and spirituality may be operationalized in research, with some examining beliefs (e.g., faith in God), amount of religious or spiritual practices (e.g., attendance and participation), or the experience of subjective well-being (e.g., peace and meaning in life) (Chaudoir et al, 2012; Dalmida et al, 2012; Hill & Pargament, 2008). Researchers have also recognized that conceptualizations of both religious involvement and spirituality may involve overlapping intrapersonal (e.g., prayer), as well as interactive and communicative domains (e.g., participation in services, discussion of beliefs with others) (Peterson et al, 2010; Rafferty et al, 2015). In this present study, we conceptualize religion/spirituality as deriving support from both personal and community activities including both internal (e.g., prayer) and social (e.g., encouragement and meaning validation) forms of worship and connection to the sacred.…”

Section: Minority Stress and Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Religious relief: Exploring the role of religion and spirituality among a broad range of people living with HIV.

Davis¹,

Hook²,

Hodge³

et al. 2023

Spirituality in Clinical Practice

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This article explores the buffering role of religion and spirituality in the lives of people living with HIV (PLWH). Participants (N = 239) included a gender-balanced sample of African American (N = 131), White (N = 69), and Latinx/Other (N = 39) individuals living with HIV in an urban city in the Southwestern United States. Participants completed self-report measures related to their personal experiences with HIV, religion and spirituality, mental health, and health-related quality of life. HIV stigma was associated with higher depressive symptoms and lower mental health-related quality of life but was not related to physical health-related quality of life. Engagement in higher levels of religious behaviors buffered the deleterious relationship between stigma and depression, but not between stigma and mental health-related quality of life or physical health-related quality of life. We conclude by discussing limitations, areas for future research, and implications for practitioners working with this population.

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“…This may have been accomplished by providing a purpose for their lives and illness while also lowering their stress about death (Peterson et al, 2010). In a subsequent study, Peterson found that African American women living with HIV relied on their spirituality and religiosity for emotional support, a means to supplement their self-, and a way to positively reframe their situations (Peterson, 2011). In these studies women attributed much of their positive perceptions to a belief that their churches supported a healthier sense of self in the face of HIV/AIDS and provided an opportunity to extend similar help to other members.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Living With Maternal HIV: Spirituality, Depression, And Family Functioning

Asby

Heads

Dickson

2016

AJHS

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Risk factors such as depression and low SES often affect an HIV infected mother’s ability to function within her family. Spirituality may interact with such risk factors contributing to the resiliency of these mothers. The current study explored spirituality’s influence on the relationship between depression and perceptions of family functioning in African American women living with HIV. High levels of spirituality were associated with decreased psychological distress and spirituality served as a significant predictor of family cohesion. Findings from this study support the importance of spirituality in the lives of African American women living with HIV and their families.

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The Case for Connection: Spirituality and Social Support for Women Living with HIV/AIDS

Cited by 6 publications

References 54 publications

“I Should Know Better”: The Roles of Relationships, Spirituality, Disclosure, Stigma, and Shame for Older Women Living With HIV Seeking Support in the South

“I Should Know Better”: The Roles of Relationships, Spirituality, Disclosure, Stigma, and Shame for Older Women Living With HIV Seeking Support in the South

Religious relief: Exploring the role of religion and spirituality among a broad range of people living with HIV.

Living With Maternal HIV: Spirituality, Depression, And Family Functioning

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