Women who are HIV infected: The role of religious activity in psychosocial adjustment

The role of religious activity in the psychosocial adjustment of 205 inner-city African American women, one-half of whom are HIV infected, was examined. Those who were HIV infected reported praying more but viewed prayer as less effective in coping with a chronic illness. Frequency of prayer predicted optimism about the future, whereas religious activity was not related to current depressive symptoms.