The Meaning and Use of Spirituality Among African American Women Living With HIV/AIDS

• Authors: Safiya George Dalmida, Emory University; Marcia McDonnell Holstad, Emory University; Colleen K Diiorio, Emory University; Gary Laderman, Emory University
• Journal Title: Western Journal of Nursing Research
• Volume: Volume 34, Number 6
• Publisher: SAGE Publications (UK and US) | 2012-10, Pages 736-765
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0193945912443740
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health; Psychology, General
• Keywords: focus groups; methods; qualitative methods; immune clinical focus; spirituality; health behavior/symptom focus; Black population focus; HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the meaning and use of spirituality among African American (AA), predominantly Christian women with HIV. A nonrandom sample of 20 AA women from a large infectious disease clinic in Metro-Atlanta participated in the study. The study used focus groups and individual interviews to interview women about their lived spiritual experience. Content analysis and NUDIST software were used to analyze transcripts. The findings revealed the spiritual views and practices of AA women with HIV. The following themes (and subthemes) emerged: Spirituality is a process/journey or connection (connection to God, higher power, or spirit and HIV brought me closer to God), spiritual expression (religion/church attendance, prayer, helping others, having faith), and spiritual benefits (health/healing, spiritual support, inner peace/strength/ability to keep going, and here for a reason or purpose/a second chance). Findings highlight the importance of spirituality in health and well-being among AA women with HIV/AIDS.