A Preliminary Study of Spiritual Practices and Spiritual Well-Being among Women Living with HIV in Suphanburi province, Thailand

Abstract

HIV is one of the leading causes of death among adult age women in Thailand. There is a growing body of research that shows the potential health benefits of spirituality among people living with HIV. This preliminary study examined two dimensions of spirituality (spiritual practices (SP) and spiritual well-being (SWB)) among a sample of Thai women living with HIV. Guided by Fitzpatrick’s Model of Life Meaning (2008), data were collected from a sample of 100 women living with HIV recruited through an HIV clinic in a community hospital in Suphanburi province, Thailand. The three most frequently reported spiritual practices were family activities, listen to/play music, and visiting a temple or quiet place. A high level of spiritual well-being was evident among the participants, and a significant relationship was shown between spiritual well-being and spiritual practices. Developing interventions that harness the benefits of spirituality have the potential for health benefits for Thai women living with HIV.