Spiritual aspects of loss among partners of men with AIDS: Postbereavement follow-up

Author(s): Acree, M., Folkman, S.

Journal/Book: Death Stud. 1999; 23: 1900 Frost Road, Suite 101, Bristol, PA 19007-1598, USA. Hemisphere Publ Corp. 105-127.

Abstract: This article is a follow-up study of bereaved caregiving male partners of men with AIDS (I. A. Richards & S. Folkman, 1997). The earlier study examined spiritual beliefs, experiences, and practices reported in interviews with 125 caregivers conducted 2 and 4 weeks following bereavement. This follow-up study reports qualitative and quantitative data from 70 members of the earlier cohort, collected 3 to 4 years later, regarding the presence of spiritual phenomena. Spirituality increased or deepened in 77% of the entire cohort. An ongoing relationship with the deceased partner was reported by 70% of the cohort. The use of spirituality as coping appeared to decline as the bereaved moved further in time from the loss. Instead, spirituality was identified as a personal governing influence that provided value and direction to the individual. Lit general, relationships between the expression of spirituality and mood, coping, and physical health symptoms were not statistically significant owing to small samples, but there were medium effect sizes.

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

Keyword(s): RECOVERY; BELIEFS; STRESS; EVENT; SCALE; DEATH

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