Spiritual aspects of loss at the time of a partner's death from AIDS

Author(s): Folkman, S.

Journal/Book: Death Stud. 1997; 21: 1900 Frost Road, Suite 101, Bristol, PA 19007-1598. Hemisphere Publ Corp. 527-552.

Abstract: Spiritual phenomena were spontaneously reported in interviews of 68 of 125 recently bereaved HN-positive and HN-negative partners of ma who died from AIDS. Spiritual schemas involving beliefs, experiences, rituals, social support, and roles were used to help assimilate the fact of death and were appraised as sources of solace and meaning. The relationship between spirituality and coping, mood, and physical health was examined. Those reporting spiritual phenomena showed higher levels of depression and anxiety and lower levels of positive states of mind, used more adaptive coping strategies, and reported more physical health symptoms than those who did not report spiritual phenomena. It doesn't matter, for scientific purposes, it doesn't matter at all whether it's true. It doesn't matter whether I'm projecting the events, it doesn't matter whether I'm projecting my own concerns. It was a process, and it functioned, and it's my experience of Michael. I happen to believe that Michael's spirit was there, and that it spoke to me.

Note: Article Richards TA, Univ Calif San Francisco, Ctr AIDS Prevent Studies, Box 0886, San Francisco,CA 94143 USA

Keyword(s): GAY MEN; BEREAVEMENT; STRESS; IMPACT; EVENT; CHILD

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