Spirituality in the Life of People with HIV in Light of Neuman’s Systems Model

Background: Since its discovery as the etiological agent of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has infected 75.7 million people worldwide. Due to the specific characteristics of the Brazilian population, spirituality, or spiritual well-being, is an important factor in the way individuals face the HIV/AIDS problematic and its consequences. This work seeks to understand the spirituality of people living with HIV in light of Neuman’s Systems Model. Methods and Finding: This is a qualitative, descriptive-exploratory research in light of the Systems Model proposed by Betty Neuman. Data collection took place between the months of March and August 2016 in an outpatient clinic of a university hospital located in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, specialized in the treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS. Thirty people living with HIV participated in the study. The data were collected through a questionnaire and an interview with a semi-structured script and underwent categorical content analysis. The understanding of spirituality in living with HIV is presented in three categories: the discovery of the diagnosis and the initial reactions — stressors that affect the lines of defense; the spiritual and religious search — protection when stressors penetrate the lines of defense; and the influence of faith combined with ART in living with HIV — dynamic relationship of the variable spirituality with the other variables. Conclusions: The applicability of the theory can provide important gains to the patient living with HIV/AIDS, generating a way to ensure Spirituality in the Life of People with HIV in Light of Neuman’s Systems Model