Everything changed: spiritual transformation in people with HIV.
International journal of psychiatry in medicine January 1, 2009 Heidemarie Kremer, Gail Ironson
Spiritual transformation (ST) occurs in a sizable proportion of people with HIV and is generally positive and enduring. In a qualitative study of two samples—people with chronic HIV disease (n=74) and self-identified spiritual people with HIV (n=73)—ST occurred in 39% and 75% respectively. Transformations were 95% positive and lasted an average of 8.71 years. ST most often followed a spiritual experience (especially near-death experience), substance-use recovery, or an HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Common antecedents included substance-use disorder, education/upbringing, and desire to change.