Question

A local religious organization has taken an interest in reaching out to community members with AIDS. They were prompted to do this when they learned that religiously active AIDS patients seem to _____ than do their nonreligious counterparts.

a) survive longer
b) has more depressed moods
c) have higher stress hormone levels
d) exhibit fewer problem-focused coping skills

Answer 1

Religiously active AIDS patients are observed to survive longer due to better coping mechanisms and less depression facilitated by their spiritual beliefs and the supportive community.

Step-by-step explanation:

The local religious organization is interested in reaching out to community members with AIDS after learning that religiously active AIDS patients seem to survive longer than their nonreligious counterparts. Research has indicated that individuals with religious or spiritual beliefs are better able to cope with serious diseases like AIDS, potentially because of the social support they receive from religious communities and the comfort derived from spiritual beliefs (Hood et al., 1996; Paloutzian, 1996).

Additionally, people who are religious may experience less depression and maintain healthier attitudes, which can impact their overall well-being and possibly extend their survival times (Benassi et al., 1988; Lefcourt, 1982; Maltby et al., 2007; Whyte, 1977, 1978, 1980).