Positive and negative religious coping, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in people with HIV

Coping style and mental health amid the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a culture-moderated meta-analysis of 44 nations

In the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid transmission of a novel virus and the unprecedented disease-mitigation measures have elicited considerable stress in many countries worldwide. Coping with pandemic stress may be differentially related to psychological symptoms across countries characterised by distinct cultural values. This study aimed to: (a) synthesise the literature by investigating the associations between some major types of coping style and psychological symptoms, and (b) investigate the moderating effects of culture on these associations. We performed a three-level random-effects meta-analysis, which included 151 independent samples from 44 countries across eight world regions (n = 137,088, 66% women, Mage = 36.08). For both problem-focused and avoidant coping styles, their hypothesised associations with psychological symptoms were robust across the countries (anxiety: rs = -.11 and .31; depression: rs = -.19 and .33; ps < .0001). For both emotion-focused and social support seeking styles, their associations with psychological symptoms were moderated by two Hofstede's cultural dimensions: uncertainty avoidance (intolerance of ambiguity) and masculinity (concern for achievement and success). The hypothesised negative coping style-symptom associations were found only in the countries with lower levels of uncertainty avoidance or masculinity, but opposite patterns of findings were found in those with higher levels of either of these two cultural dimensions.

Impact of spirituality on elderly people's quality of life and life satisfaction after acute myocardial infarction: Iranian hospital-based study

BACKGROUND

As people age, survival after a heart attack can affect their quality of life and lead to a decrease in life satisfaction. After a myocardial infarction, elderly patients may experience physical, psychological, emotional and social changes that affect their thoughts and behaviour in relation to spirituality.

AIMS

To investigate the relationship between spiritual well-being and other sociodemographic and medical history-related factors on quality of life and life satisfaction among elderly people after myocardial infarction.

METHOD

In a census-based cross-sectional study conducted at the Imam Reza Hospital in Amol, Iran, from May 2020 to May 2021, data on sociodemographics, medical history, subjective well-being, life satisfaction and quality of life were collected from 502 participants who were referred at the heart clinic.

RESULTS

The findings showed that spiritual well-being dimensions (religious well-being, [self-assessment of one's relationship with God], and existential well-being, [self-assessment of one's sense of purpose in life and life satisfaction]) were not significantly associated with life satisfaction, but a high perception of both dimensions of spiritual well-being were associated with higher self-reported quality of life. A history of past-year hospital admission and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were significant predictors of life satisfaction, and educational level was a predictor of quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The study found no significant association between spiritual well-being and life satisfaction among elderly people following myocardial infarction. This finding might have been influenced by the physical and emotional challenges experienced by the participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further studies are needed to confirm this relationship.

Improving the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS: A cross-sectional study of the role of religion

Background

Previous studies have found religion as a useful tool in coping with chronic medical conditions including HIV/AIDS. Aim: This study assessed how religiosity and religious coping are associated with quality of life (QOL) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Patients and Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of 140 HIV clinic attendees of a Nigerian tertiary health facility. Religiosity, religious coping and QOL were measured with religious orientation scale-revised (ROS-R), Brief Religious Coping (Brief RCOPE) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. Correlation analysis assessed the relationship between ROS-R, Brief RCOPE and WHOQOL-BREF.

Results

: Intrinsic religiosity (IR) scores had a moderate positive correlation with psychological health domain of QOL (r = 0.4, N = 140, and P 0.001), and a weak positive correlation with physical health domain of QOL (r = 0.2, N = 140, and P 0.05). Extrinsic religiosity (ER) scores moderately correlated positively with the psychological health domain of QOL (r = 0.03, N = 140, and P 0.002), but weakly correlated positively with the physical health domain (r = 0.2, N = 140, and P 0.02). Positive religious coping (PRC) scores moderately correlated positively with the psychological health domain (r = 0.03, N = 140, and P 0.05) and weakly correlated positively with physical health domain of QOL (r = 0.2, N = 140, and P 0.02). Extrinsic religiosity social (ERS) scores had a moderate positive correlation with the social relationships domain (r = 0.4, N = 140, P 0.001).

Conclusion

Increased ER, IR orientations and Positive Religious Coping appear to improve the psychological and physical health domains ofQOL QOL Therefore, religiosity should be encouraged among PLWHA to improve QOL.

Turning toward or away from God: COVID-19 and changes in religious devotion

Major stressors can influence religiosity, making some people more religious, while making others less religious. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a mixed-method study with a nationally representative sample of religiously affiliated American adults (N = 685) to assess group differences between those who decreased, stayed the same, or increased in their religious devotion. In quantitative analyses we evaluated differences on sociodemographic variables, religious behaviors, individual differences, prosocial emotions, well-being, and COVID-19 attitudes and behaviors. Of most note, those who changed (i.e., increased or decreased) in religious devotion were more likely than those with no change in devotion to experience high levels of stress and threat related to COVID-19, but only those who increased in religious devotion had the highest dispositional prosocial emotions (i.e., gratitude and awe). Further, those who changed in religious devotion were more likely to report searching for meaning than those with no change, but only those who increased were more likely to report actual presence of meaning. Qualitative analyses revealed that those who increased in religious devotion reported increasing personal worship, the need for a higher power, and uncertainty in life as reasons for their increase in religious devotion; those who decreased reported being unable to communally worship, a lack of commitment or priority, and challenges making it hard to believe in God as reasons for their decrease in religious devotion. The findings help identify how COVID-19 has affected religious devotion, and how religion might be used as a coping mechanism during a major life stressor.

Association between Experiences in Life and Quality of Life among Lebanese University Students in a Collapsing Country: The Moderating Role of Religious Coping and Positivity

(1) Background: No goal can be more important than optimal individual quality of life (QOL); life experiences, religious coping, and positivity play pivotal roles in achieving this goal. The aim is to assess the correlation between positive/negative experiences in life and QOL, taking into consideration the moderating role of positivity and positive/negative religious coping among a sample of Lebanese university students. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between November and December 2021, and enrolled 333 university students, aged between 18 and 30 years, from various areas in Lebanon’s governorates. The 12-item Short Form Health Survey, the brief religious coping methods scale, and the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience were included in the questionnaire. Forward linear regressions were conducted to check for correlates associated with physical and mental QOL scores. All variables that showed a correlation or effect size > |0.24| were entered in the multivariable and moderation models as independent ones. Significance was set at a p < 0.05. (3) Results: A linear regression, taking the physical QOL score as the dependent variable, showed that living in rural areas compared to urban and more positivity were significantly associated with a better physical QOL, whereas more negative religious coping was significantly associated with a lower physical QOL. More positivity and more positive religious coping were significantly associated with a better mental QOL. The moderation analysis showed that in people with high positive experiences, those with higher negative religious coping had lower mental QOL. (4) Conclusions: In a society as deeply religious as Lebanon, it is crucial to organize awareness programs to help in discriminating between religious coping mechanisms. Across order to stop further detrimental effects on QOL, our findings may serve as a solid foundation for future studies of QOL with additional variables, in other groups and nations.

The Impact of Spiritual Well-Being on the Quality of Life of Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Quality of life is a multidimensional concept that involves physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being. Spirituality represents a potentially influential factor in the quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life and spirituality among cancer patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 354 cancer patients in Palestine. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire was made up of 4 sections: sociodemographic factors, clinical data, FACT-G, and FACIT-sp.

RESULTS

A total of 354 cancer patients with a mean age of 46.4 ± 15.3 years were enrolled in the study. The spiritual well-being of patients reported in this study was measured by using the median FACIT-Sp total score, and it was 35 (IQR: 29-42). The quality of life of patients was measured using the median of the FACT-G total score, and it was 63 (IQR: 52-85). The FACT-G score was significantly variable based on several factors including age, marital status, cancer type, presence of metastasis, presence of treatment side effects, and the period since diagnosis (P-value < .05). The FACIT-Sp total score had a significantly strong positive relationship with FACT-G total score (r = .705, P < .001). Moreover, moderate to strong significant correlations were found between spirituality and quality of life subscales.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality of life among cancer patients is affected by their basic and clinical characteristics and is highly correlated with their spirituality level. Thus, addressing palliative support through spiritual care besides primary clinical treatment is of great importance to improve the quality of life among cancer patients.

Relationship between spiritual well-being and Health-Related Quality of Life and some related factors in patients with AIDS/HIV

Objective

The study of effective factors on the quality of life (QoL), as an important criterion, in the outcome of new therapeutic and preventive strategies in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been considered by researchers. To study the relationship between spiritual well-being and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and some related factors in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ([AIDS]/HIV).

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 224 people were selected as the study population (112 were male and 112 were female) from patients with AIDS/HIV at the Behavioral Counseling Center of Shiraz with available sampling method. The research tool was Palutzian & Ellison well-being scale and QoL Questionnaire (SF-36). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test.

Results

There was a significant direct relationship between physical function dimensions (P = 0.003). There was a significant relationship between general well-being, mental well-being, and total spiritual well-being (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant relationship between the dimensions of QoL and spiritual well-being with some age section of the patients, and their occupation and education (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Spirituality has an impact on the QoL dimensions. Therefore, HIV positive people's quality of life could be improved by the possibility of the spiritual well-being promotion as a method of adaptation with the disease.

Spiritual Needs as Expressed by People Living with HIV: A Systematic Review

It has been previously demonstrated that religiosity and spirituality can help support people living with HIV. Despite this, little work has been undertaken on this theme. Using the PRISMA methodology, we reviewed academic literature from 2008 to 2020 to summarize how people living with HIV define spiritual needs. We found fifty-nine distinct types of approach that were related to this theme and were grouped into four main categories: religious needs, social needs, existential needs, and emotional needs. Religious needs were more frequently cited, including individual prayers, the ingestion of miraculous medicines, and so on. The study calls attention to the concept’s multidimensionality and the cultural differences in the included papers. It reveals the need of each culture to research, to find an adequate meaning of spirituality, and to cater to the spiritual needs for people living with HIV as part of their healthcare, before setting health policies.

Spiritual Needs, Religious Coping and Mental Wellbeing: A Cross-Sectional Study among Migrants and Refugees in Germany

It has been widely proven that resettlement is associated with negative psychological effects (e.g., increased depression and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder) among refugees. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve the psychosocial functioning of migrants. This study assessed associations between negative dysfunctional appraisal (perceiving experiences as stressful), spiritual needs, religious coping and wellbeing. Data from paper-and-pencil questionnaires were collected from 744 refugees (69.8% male) aged 18–67 years (M = 27.99) with diverse backgrounds (including from Mashreq countries) who were resettled in Germany. Bootstrapping mediation analysis revealed that the relationship of dysfunctional appraisal and wellbeing among refugees is mediated by spiritual needs (i.e., existential and religious needs). Additionally, negative religious coping mediates the relationship between spiritual needs and wellbeing. The data obtained suggest the need for practitioners to focus on psychological interventions that strengthen spiritual needs in order to improve mental health among refugees.

Benefit finding: understanding the impact and public health factors among COVID-19 patients in China

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the level of benefit finding among COVID-19 patients in a hospital in mainland China, and to identify its associated impact and public health factors.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 288 COVID-19 patients were recruited in Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan, China to complete a survey on benefit finding. The level of benefit finding evaluated by the Benefit Finding Scale (BFS), mental resilience evaluated by the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), social support evaluated by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), medical coping modes evaluated by the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ), and general information was collected by self-designed questionnaires. T-test and chi-square test were used for single-factor analyses. For multiple factor analyses, multivariate regression analyses were performed.

RESULT

The mean BFS score of 288 participants was 61.26±10.25. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the factors associated with the level of benefit finding among COVID-19 patients in China included education level, having experienced major event, social support, optimism, confrontive coping and resigned coping mode.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the patients with COVID-19 in this study had a middle level of benefit finding. Health professionals should take measures to identify the influencing factors on the quality of the life and take targeted intervention measures.

Psychometric Rigor of the Brief Religious Coping Measure (RCOPE) in Persian-Speaking Older Adults

Religious coping to deal with negative life events has gained considerable attention in recent years. This study was conducted to investigate psychometric properties of the Persian version of Brief RCOPE measure (RCOPE-P). The RCOPE-P was devised using a standard translation/back-translation procedure and its internal consistency and test-retest reliability were estimated using Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients. The instrument's factor structure was appraised in a sample population of 400 older adults with chronic diseases. Positive and negative subscales of the RCOPE-P indicated acceptable internal consistency (0.74, 0.80) and test-retest reliability (0.89, 0.91). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed fitness of the original 2-factor model (root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.046, CFI = 0.967, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.953, and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.052) to the data obtained from the study. The findings endorsed applicability of the RCOPE-P for the Persian-speaking older adults but its adaptability in other Persian-speaking population subgroups must be further examined.

Religious/spiritual struggles and psychological distress: A test of three models in a longitudinal study of adults with chronic health conditions

OBJECTIVE

This study tested three conceptual explanatory models that have been theorized to account for the linkages between religious/spiritual (R/S) struggles and psychological distress: the primary model (i.e., R/S struggles lead to psychological distress), the secondary model (i.e., psychological distress leads to R/S struggles), and the complex model (i.e., R/S struggles and psychological distress reciprocally exacerbate each other).

METHODS

Using prospective data from a sample of US adults living with chronic health conditions (n = 302), we performed a cross-lagged panel analysis with three timepoints to test for evidence of potential causal relations between R/S struggles and psychological distress.

RESULTS

Consistent with the complex conceptual model of R/S struggles, we found evidence of positive reciprocal associations between R/S struggles and psychological distress.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the importance of attending to the dynamic interplay between R/S struggles and psychological distress when working with adults who have chronic health conditions.

Psychosocial Quality of Life and Its' Correlates in People Serving Prison Sentences in Penitentiary Institutions

The aim of the present study was to identify and analyze the determinants of prison inmates' psychosocial quality of life (PQol) as a positive and negative correlates. Three hundred ninety prison inmates were recruited from the correctional facilities administered by the Warsaw District Inspectorate of Prisons. Data were collected by means of the SQLQ, SOC-29, SWS, SPI/TPI, SIPR, COPE, GSES questionnaires and analyzed by means of SEM. The positive correlates for prison inmates' PQol are: sense of coherence, self-efficacy, intensity of religious attitude, social support, and trait curiosity. Among the strategies of coping with stress, only seeking social support for emotional reasons is a significant factor that directly predicts PQol. Substance use and planning play only a mediating role in PQol prediction. The negative correlate for inmates' PQol is trait depression. Contrary to predictions, anxiety is not a negative correlate-as noted above, it is associated with a positive score on PQol.

Sleep quality as a mediator of the association between coping styles and mental health: a population-based ten-year comparative study in a Chinese population

BACKGROUNDS

Little is known about the variation in sleep quality and its association with coping style and mental health in 21^st century China, despite of enormous socioeconomic changes. This study aims to document the variation in sleep quality and its contribution to the association between coping style and mental health in China.

METHODS

Pooled cross-sectional data of 46,561 adults was obtained from the 2004 and 2015 mental health surveys conducted in Shandong Province, China. A Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were assessed, with mental health measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). A mediation regression model was run to test the mediating effect of sleep quality.

RESULTS

Above 10% reported poor sleep quality or median-to-high risk of mental disorders according to GHQ results in year 2015, and a significant but small improvement for sleep quality and mental health came during the studied decade, with the exception of poor sleep quality increasing among males. In 2015, a one-point increase in sleep quality score was associated with an increase of 0.17 (95% CI, 0.16-0.18) and 0.16 (95% CI, 0.14-0.17) points on the GHQ for males and females, respectively. Sleep quality mediated the relationship between negative tendency of coping style and elevated GHQ scores, and the mediating effects grew stronger in 2015 than those in 2004.

LIMITATION

The study is a cross-sectional study, and the sample is not nationally representative.

CONCLUSION

An integrative intervention of mental health promotion is recommended to account for sleep quality and coping strategies..

Quality of Life and Its Correlates in People Serving Prison Sentences in Penitentiary Institutions

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to analyze the determinants of prison inmates' quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

390 men imprisoned in penitentiary institutions were assessed. Data were collected by means of the Sense of Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQLQ), general self-efficacy scale (GSES), resilience assessment scale (RAS-25), social support scale (SSS), intensity of religious attitude scale (IRA), SPI/TPI, and COPE Inventory, measures that have high validity and reliability. All models were specified in a path analysis using Mplus version 8.2.

RESULTS

The positive correlates of QoL are: self-efficacy, social support, intensity of religious attitude, trait and state depression, resilience, and the following coping strategies, which are at the same time mediators between the variables mentioned above and QoL: behavioral disengagement, turning to religion, planning, and seeking social support for instrumental reasons.

CONCLUSIONS

In penitentiary practice, attention should be devoted to depressive individuals, and support should be provided to them in the first place because depressiveness is the strongest negative correlate of important aspects of prisoners' QoL. All the remaining significant factors, namely: self-efficacy, social support, intensity of religious attitude, and the following coping strategies: turning to religion, planning, and seeking social support for instrumental reasons, should be taken into account in rehabilitation programs.

The Association Between Positive Religious Coping, Perceived Stress, and Depressive Symptoms During the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Among a Sample of Adults in Palestine: Across Sectional Study

OBJECTIVES

The current study was designed to investigate the relationship between positive religious coping, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms among Palestinian adults in response to the emergence of coronavirus (COVID-19), and the quarantine system implemented in the city of Tulkarem, Palestine.

METHODS

A correlational study was conducted to examine the relationship between study variables. Participants were 400 Palestinian adults, involving 172 males and 228 females, living in the city of Tulkarem, Palestine, during the spread of coronavirus. Participants were selected using convenience and snowball sampling techniques.

RESULTS

Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to test the relationship between positive religious coping, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress. Findings revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between positive religious coping and depressive symptoms (r = - .17, p < .01). Results also indicated a statistically significant negative correlation between positive religious coping and perceived stress (r = - .15, p < .01). The regression analysis for predicting depressive symptoms found that both positive religious coping (B = - .21, SE = .05, β = - .18) and perceived stress (B = .41, SE = .05, β = .35) were statistically significant toward explaining variance in depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The importance of developing intervention programs that take into consideration religious/spiritual struggles and positive religious strategies may help improve resilience and well-being among affected populations. With the recent spread of COVID-19, findings of this current study have presented important practical implications for improving the mental health and well-being among Palestinians, especially since Palestinian society continues to face different types of stressors, such as illegal occupation. Further studies are recommended to test the relationship between current study variables and other related variables.

What Do Adults With HIV Want? End-of-Life Care Goals, Values and Beliefs by Gender, Race, Sexual Orientation

OBJECTIVE

We examined factors influencing end-of-life care preferences among persons living with HIV (PLWH).

METHODS

223 PLWH were enrolled from 5 hospital-based clinics in Washington, DC. They completed an end-of-life care survey at baseline of the FACE™-HIV Advance Care Planning clinical trial.

FINDINGS

The average age of patients was 51 years. 56% were male, 66% heterosexual, and 86% African American. Two distinct groups of patients were identified with respect to end-of-life care preferences: (1) a Relational class (75%) who prioritized family and friends, comfort from church services, and comfort from persons at the end-of-life; and (2) a Transactional/Self-Determination class (25%) who prioritized honest answers from their doctors, and advance care plans over relationships. African Americans had 3x the odds of being in the Relational class versus the Transactional/Self-determination class, Odds ratio = 3.30 (95% CI, 1.09, 10.03), p = 0.035. Males were significantly less likely to be in the relational latent class, Odds ratio = 0.38 (CI, 0.15, 0.98), p = 0.045. Compared to non-African-Americans, African-American PLWH rated the following as important: only taking pain medicines when pain is severe, p = 0.0113; saving larger doses for worse pain, p = 0.0067; and dying in the hospital, p = 0.0285. PLWH who were sexual minorities were more afraid of dying alone, p = 0.0397, and less likely to only take pain medicines when pain is severe, p = 0.0091.

CONCLUSION

Integrating culturally-sensitive palliative care services as a component of the HIV care continuum may improve health equity and person-centered care.

Risk and Protective Factors Associated With Health-Related Quality of Life of Parents With Mental Illness

Purpose: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) can be reduced in parents with mental illness (mental illness) who face the dual demands of disabling symptoms and their impact on family, social, and occupational life. This study aimed at analyzing the influence of various factors on HRQoL in parents with mental illness. Method: Baseline data of the German randomized controlled multicenter project CHIMPS (children of parents with mental illness) was used for analyses. The final sample consisted of n = 208 parents with mental illness and n = 197 children and adolescents aged 8-18 years. HRQoL was assessed with the EQ-5D. Results: Parents with mental illness reported significantly lower global and specific HRQoL than the German reference population. They were least satisfied with aspects that relate to anxiety and depression followed by usual activities, pain and discomfort. Better global HRQoL was primarily associated with self-reported physical and mental health, as well as adaptive coping behavior. Associations with mobility, self-care, usual activity, pain and discomfort, anxiety and depression were analyzed and discussed. Conclusions: HRQoL in parents with mental illness is reduced. Clinical interventions should focus on the alleviation of mental health symptoms and probably somatic symptoms and promote adaptive coping skills.

The Association of Positive or Negative Religious Coping Methods With Psychological Distress and Quality of Life Among Parents of Infants With Congenital Heart Disease

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether positive and negative religious coping methods were associated with psychological distress and quality of life in parents of infants with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at a provincial hospital in Fujian, China. Clinical data from 115 parents of infants with CHD were collected. Chinese Sociodemographic Forms, Brief RCOPE, Beck Depression Interview (BDI), and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used in this study. Results: The sex of caregivers in infants with CHD was an independent predictor of BDI scores. The positive religious coping score and the negative religious coping score were both independent predictors of the BDI score (β = -5.365, P = 0.006 and β = 4.812, p = 0.017). The correlation between the quality-of-life scores and positive or negative religious coping scores indicated that positive religious coping scores were significantly positively correlated with Vitality, Social Functioning, and Mental Health scores. There was a significant negative correlation between negative religious coping scores and mental health scores. Conclusions: Positive or negative religious coping methods may be associated with psychological distress and quality of life among parents of infants with CHD. It is suggested that more attention should be devoted to the influence of religious coping methods on parents of infants with CHD, and the use of religious resources should be encouraged.

Is the Physical Environment Associated with Spiritual and Religious Coping in Older Age? Evidence from Brazil

In this cross-sectional Brazilian survey, we examined associations between aspects of physical environment (PE) and spiritual/religious coping (SRC) behaviors. Our studied sample was 77 nursing homes (NH) and 326 community-dwelling residents (CDRs). Aspects of the PE were measured using the environmental domain of the WHOQOL-BREF. SRC was assessed using the BRIEF SRC scale. The PE was significantly associated with positive SRC alone and differed between the two studied samples. "Feeling safe in daily life" and "having access to health services" were positively associated with positive SRC behaviors in NH residents. "Having access to information" and "adequate transport" were significant among CDRs. Positive SRC behaviors are influenced by PE and should be considered in geriatric and gerontology care.

Religious Coping and Depressive Symptoms Among Black Americans Living with HIV: An Intersectional Approach

This exploratory quantitative study examined the association between religious coping and depressive symptoms among a sample of 216 Black Americans living with HIV (BALWH) in the Southeastern United States. Descriptive analyses and multiple linear regression were used to determine statistically significant associations between religious coping styles and depressive symptoms, and to investigate the potential of sexual orientation and gender to moderate the associations between religious coping styles and depressive symptoms. Negative religious coping, but not positive religious coping, significantly predicted depressive symptoms. Sexual orientation, but not gender, significantly moderated the association between positive religious coping and depressive symptoms so that the relationship was only significant for heterosexual BALWH. Implications of these findings for future research and clinical work with BALWH are discussed.

Education Moderates the Relationship Between Spirituality with Quality of Life and Stress Among Malay Muslim Women with Breast Cancer

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between spirituality with quality of life and stress of Malay Muslim breast cancer patients in Malaysia. In addition, the moderating role of education on this relationship was examined. Participants consisted of 145 conveniently selected Malay breast cancer patients. The results indicated that the more spiritual respondents reported a higher level of quality of life and lower level of stress. Moreover, education weakened the relationship between spirituality with quality of life and stress.

Health benefits of positive reappraisal coping among people living with HIV/AIDS: A systematic review

People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) often face significant stress, ranging from perceiving identity changes to encountering barriers to daily health behavior engagement. To manage these experiences, many people use positive reappraisal coping (including benefit finding and perceiving growth). Effective coping is highly important for PLWHA; stress reduction has salutary effects on multiple indicators of health. The present systematic review, conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL, synthesises findings from 33 studies of PLWHA, addressing effects of positive reappraisal on health-related outcomes for adults living with HIV as a chronic illness. Studies were evaluated based on methodological considerations, measurement of key variables, and implications for specific aspects of health. Results suggest that positive reappraisal is often beneficial when dealing with the implications of a potentially traumatic HIV diagnosis on one's identity, although effects may be contextually bound. Implications of these findings are reviewed, emphasizing the importance of positive reappraisal for enhancing health promotion and self-management of HIV. Although the present review is limited by inclusion of multiple disparate outcomes and exclusion of non-English-language articles, these findings inform a comprehensive model of direct and indirect effects of positive reappraisal on emotional, functional, physiological, and behavioural aspects of health useful for guiding future research.

Coping as a mediator between locus of control, competence beliefs, and mental health: A systematic review and structural equation modelling meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and two-staged structural equation modelling meta-analysis (TSSEM) aimed to examine whether coping mediates the associations between locus of control, competence beliefs, and mental health in the general population and clinical samples.

METHODS

Eligible studies published until May 2017 were identified through systematic searches of PubMED and EMBASE. The review included 19 studies and the meta-analysis 15 studies.

RESULTS

The review supports the assumption that coping mediates the associations between locus of control and competence beliefs, and mental health. TSSEM using a pooled sample of 3986 respondents and 225 cross-sectional effect sizes indicated that maladaptive coping mediates the association between maladaptive locus of control and mental health problems. On the contrary, adaptive coping did not mediate this association and was only significantly associated with competence beliefs and adaptive locus of control but, unexpectedly, not with mental health. Both maladaptive and adaptive locus of control but not competence beliefs had direct links to mental health problems that were independent of coping.

CONCLUSION

Interventions should not only focus on enhancing adaptive coping as it might be more promising to diminish maladaptive locus of control, which may result in reduced maladaptive coping and, finally, improved mental health.

Religious Fundamentalism, Satisfaction with Life and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Intensity in a Polish Sample of People Living with HIV/AIDS

We investigated the relationship between religious fundamentalism, satisfaction with life and the intensity of posttraumatic stress symptoms in people living with HIV/AIDS. The study was conducted on 283 adults, including 242 HIV-positive patients and 41 individuals with AIDS, aged from 20 to 74. Religious fundamentalism was positively correlated with age and posttraumatic stress symptoms intensity. Negative correlation between satisfaction with life and posttraumatic stress intensity was also found. Religious fundamentalism and satisfaction with life accounted for 34% of the variance in posttraumatic stress symptoms intensity. The level of patients' education mediated the relationship between religious fundamentalism and the posttraumatic stress symptoms intensity.

The relationship between defense mechanisms and religious coping using a new two-factor solution for the Defense Style Questionnaire-40

This study examined the factor structure of the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) and explored the relationships between defense mechanisms and religious coping in a diverse sample of 380 college students. In contrast with the three-factor model of defenses proposed by the developers of the DSQ-40, principal axis factoring yielded two internally consistent components: adaptive and maladaptive defense styles. Endorsement of adaptive defenses was positively correlated with the use of positive religious coping strategies and negatively correlated with negative religious coping. Maladaptive defenses were associated with the endorsement of negative religious coping strategies. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations are made for future use of the DSQ-40.

Benefit finding for Chinese family caregivers of community-dwelling stroke survivors: A cross-sectional study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To identify whether benefit finding is a mediator or moderator in the relationship between caregiver burden and psychological well-being (anxiety and depression) in Chinese family caregivers of community-dwelling stroke survivors.

BACKGROUND

Family caregivers not only bear a heavy burden, a high level of anxiety and depression, but also experience benefit finding (positive effects result from stressful events). However, the relationships among benefit finding, caregiver burden and psychological well-being in Chinese family caregivers are not well known.

DESIGN

This study was a cross-sectional correlational design.

METHODS

Caregivers (n = 145) of stroke survivors were recruited from two communities in Zhengzhou, China. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews with structured questionnaires, examining caregiver burden, benefit finding and psychological well-being of caregivers. A hierarchical regression analysis explored whether caregiver burden and benefit finding were associated with anxiety and depression of caregivers. The moderator role of benefit finding was examined by testing the significance of the interaction between caregiver burden and benefit finding. A mediational model was used to test benefit finding as a mediator between caregiver burden and psychological well-being of caregivers using process in spss 21.0.

RESULTS

Caregiver burden and benefit finding were significantly associated with both anxiety and depression of caregivers. Benefit finding did not portray a moderating role, but portrayed the mediator role in the relationship between caregiver burden, anxiety and depression in caregivers.

CONCLUSION

This study provides the preliminary evidence to nurses that intervention focus on benefit finding may help improve the psychological well-being of caregivers.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study offers nurses rational for assessing caregiver's negative emotions and benefit finding. By targeting benefit finding, the nurse may guide caregivers in benefit identification and implement interventions to reduce anxiety, depression and caregiver burden.

Health-related quality of life and coping strategies among people living with HIV: the moderating role of gender

The aim of the study was to explore gender differences in the level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and coping strategies among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH). In particular, the moderating role of participants' gender on the relationship between coping strategies and HRQoL was explored, while controlling for socio-medical data. A total of 444 HIV-infected men and 86 HIV-infected women were recruited to participate in the study. This was a cross-sectional study with the HRQoL assessed by the World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and the coping strategies measured by the Brief COPE inventory. Although the HIV-infected men and HIV-infected women differed in terms of some HRQoL domains, these differences disappeared in the regression analysis after controlling for socio-demographic data (employment and higher education). In addition, several statistically significant interactions between participants' gender and coping strategies in relation to HRQoL domains were observed. Future research on gender differences in HRQoL among PLWH should take into account unique differences between HIV-infected men and HIV-infected women across, not only in respect to socio-medical factors but also regarding psychosocial variables.

The Sense of Quality of Life and Religious Strategies of Coping with Stress in Prison Inmates

The aim of the presented research was to analyze differences in religious strategies of coping with stress in a group of prison inmates characterized by different levels of the sense of quality of life-general, psychophysical, psychosocial, personal, and metaphysical. The participants were 390 males, aged 19-68 years, serving sentences in prisons in Poland. The measures used were the Sense of Quality of Life Questionnaire by M. Straś-Romanowska and K. I. Pargament's RCOPE Questionnaire. As expected, individuals with a high sense of quality of life-both general and pertaining to specific dimensions-more often chose positive religious strategies, whereas participants with a low sense of quality of life more often chose negative strategies. The exception was the metaphysical aspect of the quality of life: individuals with a high intensity of this dimension more often chose some of the positive as well as negative religious strategies.

Prevalence of depressive syndrome and their association with demographic and clinical characteristics in Chinese HIV patients

To investigate the prevalence of depressive syndrome and their association with demographic and clinical characteristics in Chinese patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A total of 416 patients with HIV infection were consecutively screened and enrolled in the study. Depressive syndrome was assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). The proportion of depressive syndrome was 36.3%. Patients with depressive syndrome were younger, and were more likely to have severe anxiety symptoms, religious beliefs and psychological treatment. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that religious beliefs (p = 0.001, OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.7-8.6) and more severe anxiety symptoms (p = 0.001, OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.4-1.7) were independently associated with depressive syndrome. Regular screening for depressive syndrome and appropriate biopsychosocial interventions are urgently needed for this population.

Relational spirituality and quality of life 2007 to 2017: an integrative research review

BACKGROUND

Despite the increasing number of evidence-based research on relational spirituality (RS) and quality of life (QoL) in medical-health research, little is known about the links between RS and QoL outcomes and the mechanisms by which RS aspects are functionally tied to QoL.

OBJECTIVE

To determine how RS is perceived/positioned in relation to QoL, we (a) examined recent available data that identify and appraise the links between RS and QoL; (b) identified themes emerging from the association between RS and QoL, and (c) discussed the implications of the effects of RS on QoL outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted an integrative research review of English-language peer-reviewed articles published between 2007 to March 2017 which examined an association between RS and QoL, as identified from a search of three databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, and ScienceDirect.

RESULTS

A total of 20 studies were analysed. Of these, twelve (60%) reported positive association between RS and QoL, three (15%) studies reported inverse associations, whereas five (25%) studies showed evidence of lack of association (with two out of the five studies showing an indirect association). Physical health and psychological functioning were the most researched domains of QoL, and some studies suggest an attachment-based model of RS in the last 10 years of RS and QoL research. Studies conducted with participants with serious illnesses ranging from dementia, cardiac arrest, and breast cancer reported no association between RS and physical health. Our review shows evidence of both the direct and/or indirect effects of RS on QoL as a possible spiritual coping model for complementary alternative health therapy, albeit occurring through several religious-related psychosocial conduits.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION

RS appears to be associated with health benefits as indicated across QoL domains. General medical practitioners and other healthcare agencies could benefit from the understanding that a spiritual coping model could aid their patients, and therefore their clinical practices, in the healing process.

Coping strategies of people living with AIDS in face of the disease

Objective:

to identify the coping strategies of people living with aids to face the disease and analyze them according to sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle variables.

Method:

this is a cross-sectional quantitative study. The sample consisted of 331 people living with aids treated at an outpatient clinic at a referral hospital for treatment of aids. The Coping Strategies Inventory was used to collect the data.

Results:

emotion-focused coping modes were more frequently mentioned. The mean scores of women, workers, religious people, and people who never withdrew from the treatment were higher for all factors. Patients who had a partner, who lived with family members and who received treatment support, had higher mean scores in coping, withdrawal and social support factors. As for leisure and the practice of physical exercises, the emotion-focused modes also predominated. A correlation was identified between treatment time, schooling, family income and the factors of the Coping Strategies Inventory of.

Conclusion:

the study showed that the most frequent coping modes were those focused on emotion.

Religious and spiritual coping in people living with HIV/Aids

OBJECTIVE

evaluate the religiosity and the religious/spiritual coping of people living with HIV/Aids.

METHOD

descriptive, cross-sectional study with quantitative approach, conducted in a reference HIV/Aids outpatient clinic in a university hospital of Recife-PE, Brazil, from June to November 2015. At total of 52 people living with HIV/Aids (PLWHA) participated in the research, which employed own questionnaire, the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL), and the Religious/Spiritual Coping Scale (RCOPE).

RESULTS

the sample presented high indices of organizational religiosity (4.23±1.66), non-organizational religiosity (4.63±1.50), and intrinsic religiosity (13.13±2.84). Positive RCOPE was used in high mean scores (3.66±0.88), and negative RCOPE had low use (2.12 ± 0.74). In total, use of RCOPE was high (3.77±0.74), having predominated the positive RCOPE (NegRCOPE/PosRCOPE ratio=0.65±0.46).

CONCLUSION

it is evident the importance of encouraging religious activity and RCOPE strategies, seen in the past as inappropriate interventions in clinical practice.

Impaired religiosity and spiritual distress in people living with HIV/AIDS

Objective

To verify the inference of Nursing Diagnoses, Impaired religiosity and Spiritual distress in people living with HIV/AIDS.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, performed in a specialized Service CenteR of Recife, Pernambuco, from June to November 2015. The results related to 52 people living with HIV/AIDS and that were interviewed were analyzed by three nurse judges.

Results

Spiritual distress was estimated at 73.1% (38), Impaired religiosity at 36.5% (19), with an average number of defining characteristics of 3.88 ± 2.05 and 2.55±0.69. The main defining characteristic for Impaired religiosity was: "reports a need to reconnect with previous beliefs" (92.3%); and for Spiritual distress, it was: "Expresses a lack of purpose in life/expresses lack of meaning in life" (86.5%).

Conclusions

The results point to the need to consider the religious-spiritual dimension in care protocols and research in nursing.

Quality-of-life and spirituality

Spirituality has been identified as an important dimension of quality-of-life. The objective of this study was to review the literature on quality-of-life and spirituality, their association, and assessment tools. A search was conducted of the keyterms 'quality-of-life' and 'spirituality' in abstract or title in the databases PsycINFO and PubMed/Medline between 1979-2005, complemented by a new search at PUBMED from 2006-2016. Quality-of-life is a new concept, which encompasses and transcends the concept of health, being composed of multiple domains: physical, psychological, environmental, among others. The missing measure in health has been defined as the individual's perception of their position in life in the context of culture and value system in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards, and concerns. There is consistent evidence of an association between quality-of-life and religiosity/spirituality (R/S), through studies with reasonable methodological rigour, using several variables to assess R/S (e.g. religious affiliation, religious coping, and prayer/spirituality). There are also several valid and reliable instruments to evaluate quality-of-life and spirituality. Further studies are needed, however, especially in Brazil. Such studies will provide empirical data to be used in planning health interventions based on spirituality, seeking a better quality-of-life. In the last 10 years, research is consistently growing about quality-of-life and spirituality in many countries, and also in many areas of health research.

Personal resilience and coping Part II: Identifying resilience and coping among U.S. military service members and veterans with implications for work

BACKGROUND

U.S. military personnel face challenging situations including frequent deployments, family separations, and exposure to war. Identifying coping strategies used by the most resilient service members and veterans could positively influence military resiliency training programs.

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this paper are to investigate the relationship between coping and resilience among U.S. military active service members and veterans, to identify the coping strategies used by those considered most resilient, and to discuss coping and resilience as they relate to the workplace.

METHODS

U.S. military active service members and veterans (N = 191) completed a demographic survey and two self-report questionnaires: The 14-Item Resilience Scale [1] and the Brief COPE [2].

RESULTS

Active duty service members had higher resilience scores than veterans (p < 0.05), but both fell into the moderate range. Coping strategies were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). Active service members' resilience was predicted by their use of positive reframing and less use of self-blame as coping strategies, accounting for 52.3% of the variance (R2 = 0.523, F(2, 60) = 32.92, p = 0.000). Veterans' resilience was predicted by longer time-in-service, greater use of humor, and less use of self-blame as coping strategies, explaining 44.8% of the variance (R2 = 0.448, F(3, 116) = 31.408, p = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

This research identifies the positive coping strategies, and least-used negative coping strategies, of the U.S. service members and veterans in our study population with higher resilience scores. Incorporating this information into military- or veteran-based resilience training is likely to increase training effectiveness.

Linking Spiritual and Religious Coping With the Quality of Life of Community-Dwelling Older Adults and Nursing Home Residents

Objective: This study examined the effect of Positive and Negative Spiritual and Religious Coping (SRC) upon older Brazilian's quality of life (QOL). Method: A secondary analysis of data collected from 77 nursing home residents (NHRs; M age = 76.56) and 326 community-dwelling residents (CDRs; M age = 67.22 years) was conducted. Participants had completed the Brief SRC, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-OLD (WHOQOL-OLD). A General Linear Model regression analysis was undertaken to assess the effects of SRC upon 10 aspects of participants' QOL. Results: Positive (F = 6.714, df = 10, p < .001) as opposed to Negative (F = 1.194, df = 10, p = .294) SRC was significantly associated with QOL. Positive SRC was more strongly associated with NHR's physical, psychological, and environmental QOL, and their perceived sensory abilities, autonomy, and opportunities for intimacy. Conclusion: Positive SRC behaviors per se were significantly associated with QOL ratings across both study samples. The effect size of Positive SRC was much larger among NHRs across six aspects of QOL. Place of residence (POR) in relation to SRC and QOL in older age warrants further study.

An 81-year-old woman with chronic illnesses and a strong faith

Mrs. Smith is an 81-year-old woman who has several medical problems. Despite these problems, however, her faith and spirituality strength give her the strength and determination to move forward in life. She stresses that, "My faith helps me cope with my illnesses." This article describes Mrs. Smith's roller coaster life and how faith, prayer, and hope have allowed her to continue to press forward. She interprets pain and illnesses as challenges, not obstacles. Her physician who has been treating her for about 20 years indicates that she has continued to have multiple chronic health issues and has maintained an incredibly positive spirit, particularly when traditional medicine has failed to make a difference. Spiritual care is being increasingly documented as an important component of whole person medicine. For some, religiosity and spirituality are important aspects of patient-provider relationship. God, faith, and hope are essential factors to Mrs. Smith who uses spirituality and religion daily to cope with her chronic illnesses.

Trauma history in African-American women living with HIV: effects on psychiatric symptom severity and religious coping

Women living with HIV (WLHIV) have rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) up to 5 times higher than the general population. Individuals living with HIV and a concurrent diagnosis of PTSD have poorer HIV-related outcomes; however, the prevalence and impact of PTSD on African-American WLHIV seeking mental health treatment is unknown. The aim of this study is to examine the associations between PTSD symptoms with psychiatric symptom severity and psychological/religious coping strategies in African-American WLHIV who are seeking mental health treatment. This is a cross-sectional study of 235 African-American WLHIV attending an urban community mental health clinic. Bivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between a PTSD symptoms scale (PSS≥21 versus PSS<21) and (1) psychiatric severity, (2) coping strategies, and (3) religious coping strategies. Thirty-six percent reported symptoms consistent with PTSD (PSS≥21). These women were significantly more likely to have worse mental health symptoms and were more likely to employ negative psychological and religious coping strategies. On the contrary, women with a PSS<21 reported relatively low levels of mental health symptoms and were more likely to rely on positive psychological and religious coping strategies. Over one-third of African-American WLHIV attending an outpatient mental health clinic had symptoms associated with PTSD. These symptoms were associated with worse mental health symptoms and utilization of dysfunctional religious and nonreligious coping strategies. Untreated PTSD in WLHIV predicts poorer HIV-related health outcomes and may negatively impact comorbid mental health outcomes. Screening for PTSD in WLHIV could identify a subset that would benefit from evidence-based PTSD-specific therapies in addition to mental health interventions already in place. PTSD-specific interventions for WLHIV with PTSD may improve outcomes, improve coping strategies, and allow for more effective treatment of comorbid mental health disorders.