Spiritual well-being: a predictor of hardiness in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

This study examined the relationship between spiritual well-being and hardiness in a group of 100 subjects who either tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV+) or who had diagnoses of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex (ARC) or AIDS. Each subject completed the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, the Personal Views Survey (to measure hardiness), and a Demographic Data Survey. Analysis of data included Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficients and multiple regression techniques. The results demonstrated that there was a significant relationship between spiritual well-being and hardiness (multiple R = .4165; P less than .001) as well as between the existential component of spiritual well-being and hardiness (multiple R = .5047; P less than .001). The conclusions of the study are that in this sample those individuals who were spiritually well and who were able to find meaning and purpose in their lives were also hardier. This finding has significance for the care that is provided to persons who are HIV+ or who have diagnoses of ARC or AIDS.