The effect of HIV/AIDS disease progression on spirituality and self-transcendence in a multicultural population

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 mate (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.