Role of Spirituality as a Coping Method for Psychological Distress in People Living with HIV/AIDS

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome disease is one of the most devastating illnesses, which has a significant negative impact on the biopsychosocial and spiritual well-being, with a high prevalence of psychological distress (PD). Spiritual coping is observed to reduce PD. This study aimed to identify the presence of PD among patients living with HIV (PLHIV), assess their spirituality and spiritual coping, and the association with PD.

This descriptive study employed a cross-sectional design. A sample of 50 PLHIV was selected from the Infectious Disease Clinic and the antiretroviral therapy (ART) Centre of a tertiary hospital. Selected demographic and clinical data were collected. The general health questionnaire (GHQ), World Health Organization quality of life (QOL)-100 Domain VI, with QOL 100 additional spiritual, religious and personal beliefs questionnaire, and Spiritual Coping Methods Assessment Questionnaire were administered to measure PD, spirituality and utilisation of spiritual coping methods, respectively. The data were analysed using frequency, percentage and Chi-square.

The findings indicated that 28% of PLHIV had PD, and 92% had a high spirituality score. The spirituality was inversely related to PD (X² = 13.8, p < 0.001). The majority (86%) of patients had high utilisation of personal and corporate spiritual coping methods. Those patients who utilised more personal and corporate coping methods were found to have less PD. Gender, marital status, occupation, time of diagnosis, stage of disease and ART status showed no significant association with PD.

PD prevalent in PLHIV is significant, and patients who had a high spirituality score and used more spiritual coping methods were found to have less PD. Therefore, PD among PLHIV must be evaluated and spiritual needs addressed as a part of HIV care. Patient-centred spiritual coping strategies can be considered during counselling of PLHIV.