The ironson-woods spirituality/religiousness index is associated with long survival, health behaviors, less distress, and low cortisol in people with HIV/AIDS |
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Authors: | Gail Ironson MD PhD George F Solomon MD Elizabeth G Balbin BS Conall O’Cleirigh MS Annie George MA Mahendra Kumar PhD David Larson MD MSPH Teresa E Woods PhD |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Miami, USA;(2) Behavioral Medicine Research Program, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185, 33124-2070 Coral Gables, FL;(3) University of California Los Angeles, USA;(4) Department of Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, University of Miami, USA;(5) Department of Psychology, University of Miami, USA;(6) National Institute for Healthcare Research, USA;(7) University of Wisconsin, Madison |
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Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of an instrument that measures both spirituality and
religiousness, to examine the relation between spirituality and religiousness and important health outcomes for people living
with HIV, and to examine the potential mediators of these relations. One aim was to determine whether subscales of spirituality,
religiousness, or both would be independently related to long survival in people living with AIDS. The Ironson-Woods Spirituality/Religiousness
(SR) Index is presented with evidence for its reliability and validity. Four factors were identified on the Ironson-Woods
SR Index (Sense of Peace, Faith in God, Religious Behavior, and Compassionate View of Others). Each subscale was significantly
related to long survival with AIDS. That is, the long-term survivor (LTS) group (n = 79) scored significantly higher on these
factors than did the HIV-positive comparison (COMP) group (n = 200). Long survival was also significantly related to both
frequency of prayer (positively) and judgmental attitude (negatively). In addition, the Ironson-Woods SR Index yielded strong
and significant correlations with less distress, more hope, social support, health behaviors, helping others, and lower cortisol
levels. The relation between religious behavior and health outcomes was not due to social support. Further analyses were conducted,
which identified urinary cortisol concentrations and altruistic behavior as mediators of the relation between SR and long
survival.
This research was graciously funded by National Institutes of Health Grant R01MH53791 and National Institute for Healthcare
Research. Thanks to Sandy Romero, Tamika Bailey, and Peter Vitaliano |
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