The Relationship of Spirituality with the Pain and Quality of Life in Patients with HIV/AIDS

With regard to the psychological problems of HIV infection، the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of spirituality with a sense of pain and quality of life in patients with HIV/ AIDS. This descriptive-correlation study was conducted on 43 patients with AIDS in Sistan & Baluchestan province which were selected via available sampling method. Spirituality was measured using the Spirituality Questionnaire، feeling of suffering using the Scale of Experience، and Perception of Suffering and quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and Stepwise regression. There was a significant positive relationship between spirituality and quality of life and significant negative relationship between spirituality and feeling of suffering (p<0. 05). There was a significant negative relationship between spirituality and psychological suffering (p<0. 05). Component of self-awareness is the best predictor of physical and psychological health and also social relationships of the quality of life. In addition، component of self-awareness is the best predictor of physical and psychological suffering، and components of self-awareness and spiritual needs، respectively، are best predictors of spiritual and existential suffering. Reinforcing the spiritual and religious attitude in patients with HIV/AIDS through spiritual and religion instruction may increase the social-mental health and reduce the feeling of suffering and improve quality of life of the patients.