Spiritual needs and their association with indicators of quality of life among non-terminally ill cancer patients: Cross-sectional survey

Perceptions of spirituality and predictors of competence in spiritual care among nursing students in five middle eastern countries: A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Spiritual Care is integral to holistic nursing; however, it often remains underprovided due to a lack of education.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined perceptions of spirituality and predictors of competence in spiritual care among nursing students in Middle Eastern countries.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey was used.

PARTICIPANT/SETTING

Nursing students (n = 785) from five universities in Middle Eastern countries were included.

METHODS

Participants completed the Spiritual Care-Giving Scale-Arabic and Spiritual Care Competency Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of perceived competence in spiritual care.

RESULTS

Nursing students showed positive attitudes towards spirituality, with a mean score of 5.1 (SD = 0.60) on the Spiritual Care-Giving Scale-Arabic. However, their perceived competence in providing spiritual care was low to moderate with a mean score of 79.0 (SD = 32.0) on the Spiritual Care Competency Scale. The bivariate analysis indicated significant relationships between students' spiritual care competence and gender, previous exposure to spirituality education, willingness to undergo spirituality training, and total spirituality score. Finally, significant predictors of higher competence included regular admission status, prior spiritual education, willingness to undergo spiritual care training, and higher personal spirituality scores.

CONCLUSION

Nursing students in the Middle East have positive attitudes towards spirituality, but low to moderate competence in providing spiritual care. The influence of personal spirituality on competence underscores the importance of fostering a supportive environment for students to reflect on their beliefs. Comprehensive curriculum revisions and training programs, along with the recognition of the impact of personal spirituality, are essential to prepare future nurses for holistic people's care.

Determining the Spiritual Care Needs of Patients with Indwelling Urinary Catheterization: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study in Turkey

This study was undertaken to ascertain the spiritual care requirements of patients undergoing indwelling urinary catheterization. Identifying the spiritual care needs of patients with indwelling urinary catheterization is crucial for fortifying their resilience and fostering positive health behaviors. Furthermore, it proves pivotal in devising customized nursing interventions. A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 122 participants (50 female, 72 male) undergoing indwelling urinary catheterization within the inpatient clinics of a state hospital in Turkey was conducted. Data were meticulously gathered through a participant information form and the Spiritual Care Needs Scale. The subsequent analysis employed the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, facilitated by the SPSS 22.0 program. This study adhered to the STROBE recommendations in reporting. The findings indicated that individuals with indwelling urinary catheters exhibit spiritual care needs exceeding the norm, with heightened scores in subdimensions such as meaning and hope, caring, and respect. A statistically significant positive association was identified, revealing a difference in spiritual care needs between women and men. Similarly, a positive association, statistically significant, was observed in the spiritual care needs of patients aged 72-98 compared to those aged 41-71. Furthermore, a positive and statistically significant difference surfaced in the spiritual care needs of patients with long-term indwelling urinary catheters as opposed to those with medium and short-term urinary catheters. Therefore, it is imperative to consider the spiritual care needs of patients undergoing indwelling urinary catheterization.

Cancer Patients: Forgiveness, Discomfort Intolerance and Psychiatric Symptoms

Objectives: Cancer patients try to find answers in the light of their individual experiences and if they cannot adapt in line with the answers, various psychiatric symptoms may occur. There are studies supporting that "forgiveness" helps reduce the emotional burden of patients with cancer in their ability to discomfort intolerance of the disease, find meaning in the life. The aim of this study is to evaluate forgiveness, discomfort intolerance, and psychiatric symptoms in cancer patients. Methods: The data of this study, which was conducted with 208 cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy treatment, Personal Information Form was collected with Heartland Forgiveness Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, and Discomfort Intolerance Scale. Result: It has been determined that cancer patients have a high level of forgiveness, a moderate tolerance to tolerate discomfort, and enable low level of occurrence of psychiatric symptoms. As the level of self-forgiveness and forgiveness of patients increases, the incidence of psychiatric symptoms decreases. Conclusion: In line with the findings, it can be thought that the high level of forgiveness of cancer patients towards their illness allows them to experience less psychiatric symptoms and increase their tolerance to the disorder. Awareness of both patients and healthcare personnel can be increased by preparing training programs that address forgiveness in individuals diagnosed with cancer in healthcare institutions.

The Effect of Perceived Social Support and Spiritual Care Needs in Predicting Hope in Oncology Patients

BACKGROUND

Hope has an influential role in oncology patients and is related to perceived social support and spirituality. However, studies on the extent to which the concepts of perceived social support and spiritual care needs affect hope are still limited.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of perceived social support and spiritual care needs in predicting hope in adult oncology patients.

METHODS

Study questionnaires, a demographic form, the Herth Hope Scale, the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Spiritual Care Needs Scale were administered to participants. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 134 oncology patients completed the study questionnaires. Significant correlations were found between hope and perceived social support and between hope and spiritual care needs (P < .05). Perceived support explained 11.7% of the variance in hope scores. A 1-unit increase in the support score was associated with a 0.344-unit increase in the hope score. Spiritual care needs did not significantly predict hope.

CONCLUSION

In line with the results, interventions that promote social support may increase hope in oncology patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Nurses could incorporate interventions into their care to improve social support as one way to enhance hope levels among oncology patients. Further studies are required to understand more about the impact of spiritual care needs on hope.

The effect of spiritual support on life satisfaction in Iranian patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Background

The diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer not only impose significant physical challenges but also deeply affect patients emotionally and psychologically, significantly influencing their overall quality of life. Among the various factors that can positively impact life satisfaction in individuals facing gastrointestinal cancer, spirituality emerges as a crucial aspect. This study aimed to determine the effect of a spiritual intervention on life satisfaction in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study was conducted with two groups of 85 gastrointestinal cancer patients from two major hospitals in Tehran. The intervention group received spiritual support through social media for six sessions over three weeks to learn how to effectively improve their spiritual state. The control group received routine medical visits and care. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) was used before and after the spiritual support in both the intervention and control groups. The research was approved by the institutional ethics committee.

Results

In the pre-test stage, there was no significant difference in average life satisfaction between the intervention and control groups (t = 1.887, d = 0.30, p > 0.05). However, positive changes occurred in the post-test stage. Notably, the disparity in average life satisfaction between the intervention and control groups was significant in the post-test stage (t = 13.118, d = 0.95, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the result showed that the changes in life satisfaction in the intervention group were statistically significant (t = 11.854, d = 0.84, p < 0.001). Changes in life satisfaction in the control group were not statistically significant in the pre-test stage compared to the post-test stage (t = 1.113, d = 0.10, p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The results can guide health care providers in dealing with the problems of cancer patients. Assessing patients' spiritual needs and empowering them to promote their spiritual recovery and find meaning in their suffering can lead to improved quality of life and satisfaction with holistic care.

Spiritual Needs and Life Satisfaction of Lithuanian Palliative Care Patients

Life satisfaction remains a value-based orientation and an important positive dimension of human well-being. Little is known about the relationship of this construct with palliative care patients' spiritual needs. This study assesses spiritual needs of palliative care patients and their association with life satisfaction. An exploratory cross-sectional study design was employed. During structured face-to-face interviews, 110 hospitalized palliative care patients responded to the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ) regarding their spiritual needs and the Brief Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale (BMLSS) regarding life satisfaction. The patients, generally satisfied with their health and future prospects, showed variations in life satisfaction based on education and family status. Stronger Existential and Inner Peace needs were expressed. Factors such as age, gender, education, family status, and religiosity make a difference in the expression of spiritual needs. Religiosity emerged as the key predictor for Religious, Inner Peace, and Existential needs. Life satisfaction had a very weak negative correlation (-0.207, p < 0.05) with Inner Peace needs. Recommendations include understanding and addressing the spiritual needs of palliative patients and preparing healthcare professionals to address them.

Spiritual well-being, faith, meaning in life, peace, and purpose in life for cancer-related fatigue: systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regressions

BACKGROUND

Cancer-related fatigue is associated with spiritual distress. Spiritual well-being, characterized by the presence of factors such as meaning in life or purpose in life, seems to play an important role in the management of symptoms of cancer. Currently, the number of studies evaluating the association between cancer-related fatigue and spiritual well-being is increasing and no systematic review has been conducted.

AIM

To summarize the association between cancer-related fatigue and spiritual well-being, faith, meaning in life, peace, and purpose in life.

DESIGN

A systematic review with meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

The CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases were searched from inception to 9 October 2023. We considered studies evaluating the cross-sectional or longitudinal association between cancer-related fatigue and the spiritual factors above mentioned. The Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies and the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool assessed the methodological quality of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, respectively. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system rated the certainty of evidence. Meta-analyses, meta-regressions, subgroup meta-analyses, and sensitivity analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies were included and no longitudinal findings were found. One meta-analysis showed that cancer-related fatigue may be negatively correlated with spiritual well-being (r =  - 0.37 (95%CI - 0.44 to - 0.28) p < 0.01). In addition, another meta-analysis found the correlation between cancer-related fatigue and faith was not statistically significant (r =  - 0.25 (95%CI - 0.66 to 0.28) p = 0.36).

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer-related fatigue may be correlated with spiritual well-being. However, the certainty of evidence was very low across the meta-analyzed outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

A negative correlation was observed between spiritual well-being and cancer-related fatigue.

Spiritual Needs and Influencing Factors of Postoperative Breast Cancer Women Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to determine the status of spiritual needs and influencing factors of postoperative breast cancer (BC) women undergoing chemotherapy.

Participants and Methods

This study is a cross-sectional study. A total of 173 participants completed a general information questionnaire and a Chinese version of the Spiritual Needs Scale at the Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital. Data were collected by purposive sampling from December 2022 to April 2023. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, non-parametric test, and logistic regression analysis.

Results

The spiritual needs of postoperative BC women undergoing chemotherapy were at a high level (84.20 ± 12.86). The need for "hope and peace" was considered paramount and the need for a "relationship with transcendence" was considered the least important. Significant differences were found in the following: spiritual needs total score (P=0.040) and "hope and peace" (P=0.021) in education level; "love and connection" in disease stage (P=0.021); "meaning and purpose" in education level (P=0.013), household income (P=0.012), and payment method (P=0.015); "relationship with transcendence" in religion (P<0.001); and "acceptance of dying" in marital status (P=0.023). The level of education was the influencing factor of spiritual needs (OR=1.50, P=0.005), especially for "hope and peace" (OR=1.50, P=0.012).

Conclusion

The spiritual need of postoperative BC Chinese women undergoing chemotherapy is at a high level and should receive more attention. In clinical work, nurses should fully assess the spiritual needs of patients and meet their specific needs. Results may help nurses to develop targeted and comprehensive spiritual intervention strategies according to the characteristics of patients.

A Comparative Analysis of Spiritual Care Needs Among Cancer Patients Receiving Home Care and Their Caregivers in Turkey

This study was conducted to determine and compare the spiritual care needs of cancer patients and their caregivers. A comparative descriptive, cross-sectional design was employed in this study. The study comprised 102 patients who were registered in the hospital's home care unit, as well as their caregivers (total number = 204). The data were collected using a personal information form and the Spiritual Care Needs Inventory. The cancer patients had a mean age of 69.5 years, while their caregivers' mean age was 53.1 years. According to the results, the cancer patients needed more spiritual care than their caregivers (p < 0.01). Patients' spiritual care needs differed significantly by employment status (p  < 0.05). However, gender, educational level, and marital status did not have a significant difference in the spiritual care needs of the patients and their caregivers (p > 0.05). Moderately positive and significant (p < 0.05) correlations between patients and their caregivers were found for the total Spiritual Care Needs Inventory scores (r = 0.449), the meaning and hope subscale (r = 0.378), and the caring and respect subscale (r = 0.546). It is important to evaluate the spiritual needs of patients with cancer and their caregivers. In this evaluation, it is essential to elicit the perspectives of cancer patients and their caregivers concerning spiritual needs and religion. Effective spiritual care for patients and their caregivers can only be provided if their beliefs and priorities are taken into consideration.

Spiritual care needs and their attributes among Chinese inpatients with advanced breast cancer based on the Kano model: a descriptive cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Numerous previous research have established the need for spiritual care among patients with cancer globally. Nevertheless, there was limited research, primarily qualitative, on the spiritual care needs of Chinese inpatients with advanced breast cancer. Furthermore, the need for spiritual care was rarely explored using the Kano model. To better understand the spiritual care needs and attributes characteristics of inpatients with advanced breast cancer, this study examined the Kano model.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional design study was conducted in the oncology departments of three tertiary grade-A hospitals in China from October 2022 to May 2023. To guarantee high-quality reporting of the study, the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Checklist was used. Data on the demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Nurse Spiritual Therapeutics Scale (NSTS), and the Kano model-based Nurse Spiritual Therapeutics Attributes Scale (K-NSTAs) were collected through convenience sampling. The Kano model, descriptive statistics, two independent samples t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The overall score for spiritual care needs was 31.16 ± 7.85. The two dimensions with the highest average scores, "create a good atmosphere" (3.16 ± 0.95), and the lowest average scores, "help religious practice" (1.72 ± 0.73). The 12 items were distributed as follows: three attractive attributes were located in Reserving Area IV; five one-dimensional attributes were distributed as follows: three one-dimensional attributes were located in Predominance Area I, and two were found in Improving Area II; two must-be attributes were located in Improving Area II; and two indifference attributes were located in Secondary Improving Area III.

CONCLUSION

The Chinese inpatients with advanced breast cancer had a middle level of spiritual care needs, which need to be further improved. Spiritual care needs attributes were defined, sorted, categorized, and optimized accurately and perfectly by the Kano model. And "create a good atmosphere" and "share self-perception" were primarily one-dimensional and must-be attributes. In contrast, the items in the dimensions of "share self-perception" and "help thinking" were principally attractive attributes. Nursing administrators are advised to optimize attractive attributes and transform indifference attributes by consolidating must-be and one-dimensional attributes, which will enable them to take targeted spiritual care measures based on each patient's characteristics and unique personality traits.

Leadership in a hospital of the Andalusian Public Health System

OBJECTIVE

To analyse, from a gender perspective, the characteristics and perception of the effects of leadership of nurses in a hospital of the Andalusian Public Health System.

METHODOLOGY

Qualitative study with a phenomenological approach. The participants were nurses in care and intermediate positions with a contract of more than 6 months. A qualitative content analysis was carried out. Four phases were established for data analysis, from which 5 categories resulted. NVivo 11 software was used to analyse the dialogues.

RESULTS

The participants' discourses endow the leader with characteristics that define him as a reference person. The contribution of middle management is necessary for the achievement of the objectives of the care units and the cohesion of the group, although this group perceives it only in relation to the management of resources. Access to management positions is not linked to gender.

CONCLUSIONS

The participants' discourses endow the leader with characteristics that define him as a reference person. The contribution of middle management is necessary for the achievement of the objectives of the care units and the cohesion of the group, although this group perceives it only in relation to the management of resources. Access to management positions is not linked to gender.

The Perception of Spirituality and Its Assessment among Those with Different Health Statuses in Saudi Arabia

This study compares the perception of spirituality among individuals with different health statuses. It also describes the spiritual services and religious support in the healthcare system that are recommended by the community. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in Riyadh during the year 2021. A face-to-face questionnaire was used to obtain data from seriously ill inpatients (N = 132), chronically ill outpatients (N = 202), and healthy individuals (N = 283), which is an assessment tool designed by the investigators to meet the purpose of the study. This study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals and in the community. Participants were randomly selected using a stratified random sampling technique. The study was performed on 635 participants. A significant number of the participants agreed that the provision of spiritual services has a positive effect on patient condition. The rural population had a higher mean value on limiting the concept of spirituality to religious aspects. There is a clear tendency from all categories toward religious services. The majority of the participants support the provision of psychological services, especially if it is provided by specialized and expert spiritual care providers. The positive perception of participants about spiritual care has been reflected on the tendency toward providing spiritual services. The provision of spiritual care in healthcare systems is expected to be a necessity and not a luxury.

Benefits of Spiritual and Religious Support in the Pain Management of Cancer Patients: A Literature Scoping Review

Pain is one of the main symptoms of cancer and the most difficult to control due to its complexity as it can involve physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. We proposed to summarize the scientific knowledge already published related to the influence of spirituality on pain therapy in cancer patients. Articles were searched in PubMed, SciELO, SciFinder, PsycInfo, and ScienceDirect databases using the following descriptors: "Spirituality," "Religion," "Religion," "Chronic Pain," "Pain Management" and "Cancer." A total of 68 articles were included and discussed. Most articles dealt with the influence of spirituality in palliative care, focussed on patient quality, and highlighted the importance of integrative oncology. Although few studies associated spirituality with chronic pain, most articles reported that spirituality could confer greater pain control.

Spiritual and religious perspectives in persons with visual impairment due to age-related macular degeneration

Introduction

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the global leading causes of severe vision loss. Patients suffering from AMD face complex spiritual and mental challenges that have an impact on the course of their disease, their quality of life, and their relationship with their surroundings.

Methods

A survey was carried out using a 21-item questionnaire between August 2020 and June 2021 among 117 patients from different countries to investigate how spirituality, religion, and their way of practicing them affected the experiences and daily lives of patients suffering from AMD, and whether it helped them cope with the disease.

Results

Our study concluded that spirituality and religion are important factors that facilitate patients' ability to cope with a progressive degenerative disease such as AMD. Patients who are religious are more at peace with having AMD. Practices that contribute to patients being at peace in accepting the disease are regular prayers or meditation. Spirituality and religion are important components that promote a healthier and happier emotional state and mental wellbeing. In particular, by believing that death is not the end, patients feel more hopeful, which helps in their adjustment to a seemingly hopeless health condition. A significant number of AMD patients desire to talk about God with the medical staff. The profile of such patients could be those believing in a higher power, praying often, participating in religious services, being worried about the loss of vision, and needing assistance in daily life.

Discussion

An interdisciplinary and multidimensional team of medical health professionals including mental health workers and chaplains can be of great value in managing persons with AMD.

Cancer patients' return-to-work adaptation experience and coping resources: a grounded theory study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the return-to-work adaptation experience and coping resources used by cancer patients.

METHODS

With the help of the Nantong Cancer Friends Association, from June 2019 to January 2020, this study recruited 30 cancer patients who had returned to work using purpose sampling, snowball sampling and theoretical sampling. The researchers analyzed the data using initial-, focusing-, and theoretical coding.

RESULTS

The adaptation of cancer patients to return-to-work is a rebuilding process by taking advantage of the available personal and external coping resources. The adaptation experience includes: focusing on rehabilitation, rebuilding self-efficacy, and adjusting plans.

CONCLUSION

Medical staff should help patients mobilize coping resources to adapt to return to work.

Spiritual care needs among Chinese elders hospitalized for severe chronic heart failure: An observational study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the spiritual care needs and their attributes among Chinese elders hospitalized for severe chronic heart failure (CHF) based on the Kano model, in order to provide a reference for improving the quality and satisfaction of spiritual care.

METHODS

An observational design was implemented, and the STROBE Checklist was used to ensure quality reporting of the study. The demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Nurse Spiritual Therapeutics Scale, and the Kano model-based Nurse Spiritual Therapeutics Attributes Scale were used. A convenience sample of 451 patients were selected from 2 hospitals. Descriptive statistics, and Kano model were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The total score of spiritual care needs was 29.95 ± 7.51. Among the 12 items, 3 items were attractive attributes, all of which were located in Reserving Zone IV; 5 items were one-dimensional attributes, of which 3 were located in Predominance Zone I and 2 were located in Improving Zone II; 2 items were must-be attributes, all of which were located in Improving Zone II; and 2 items were indifference attributes, all of which were located in Secondary Improving Zone III.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

The spiritual care needs among Chinese elders hospitalized for severe CHF were moderate. The must-be and one-dimensional attributes mainly focus on "creating a good atmosphere" and "sharing self-perception" dimensions, while attractive attributes mainly focus on "sharing self-perception" and "helping thinking" dimensions. It is suggested that hospital authority should develop and innovate attractive attributes on the basis of maintaining and perfecting must-be and one-dimensional attributes, and objectively analyze and optimize indifference attributes.

Dignity at the end of life: from philosophy to health care practice - Lithuanian case

Regulation and clinical practices regarding end of human life care differ among the nations and countries. These differences reflect the history of the development of state health systems, different societal values, and different understandings of dignity and what it means to protect or respect dignity. The result is variation in the ethical, legal, and practical approaches to end-of-life issues. The article analyzes the diversity of strategies to strengthen dignity at the end of life of terminally ill patients and to highlight the legal preconditions and limitations for implementing these strategies in independent Lithuania, as a former state of the Soviet Union. It is based on the critical analysis of philosophical literature, legal national and international documents and scientific evidence related to the issue. The author argues that the legal system in Lithuania is not sufficient to ensure the patient's dignity at the end of life and remains far behind other Western European countries. Legal regulations in Lithuania do not guarantee the right of the patient to express his or her will regarding the future treatment, including the refusal of resuscitation, do not regulate the termination of burdensome, non-viable and meaningless treatment that is undesired by the patient, and limit the accessibility of palliative care with its necessary quality and comfort.

Spiritual needs, spiritual well-being, and Buddhist practices of patients with terminal illness, Thailand

OBJECTIVES

The purposes of this study were to describe and compare the spiritual needs and spiritual well-being among terminally ill patients receiving care in different palliative care settings and to investigate the differences in spiritual well-being in relation to the level of Buddhist practices.

METHODS

A cross-sectional multicenter study was carried out that included community/home-based care (Home), a faith-based organization for patients with AIDS (FB_AIDS), a faith-based organization for patients with cancer (FB_CA), and a hospice ward (Hospice). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the participants' demographics, Buddhist practices, spiritual needs, and spiritual well-being. The analysis was performed using analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests to compare the spiritual needs and the spiritual well-being in the different settings. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to investigate the differences in spiritual well-being in relation to the level of Buddhist practices.

RESULTS

A total of 170 patients with a terminal illness (30 Home, 33 FB_AIDS, 64 FB_CA, and 43 Hospice) participated. Patients with a terminal illness receiving care at the FB_CA and Home had significantly higher mean scores for spiritual needs than those in the other settings. Patients with a terminal illness receiving care at the FB_CA had a significantly higher mean score for spiritual well-being than those receiving care in the other settings. Participants having a higher frequency of Buddhist practice had significantly higher mean scores for spiritual well-being.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

Spiritual needs and spiritual well-being differed significantly among participants in different palliative care settings. The more the patients engaged in Buddhist practices, the higher their scores were for spiritual well-being. Thus, religious-based strategies should be integrated into palliative care and should be more emphasized.

Spiritual needs and their associated psychosocial factors among women with breast cancer: A cross-sectional study

AIMS

Guided by the biopsychosocial-spiritual model, this study aimed to evaluate the spiritual needs of Chinese women with breast cancer and explored factors associated with those spiritual needs.

DESIGN

This study has a cross-sectional design.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 228 breast cancer patients in China, between May 2019 and July 2019. Data were collected using the general information form, the Spiritual Needs Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Data were analysed by Spearman correlation analysis, univariate analysis and multiple linear regression, and a structural equation model (SEM) was constructed by maximum likelihood estimation.

RESULTS

There was a slightly higher average score for spiritual needs. Of the five dimensions of spiritual needs, those with the highest and lowest levels were 'meaning and purpose' and 'relationship with transcendence' respectively. Religion, time since confirmed diagnosis and education level were related to spiritual needs. The proposed model linking spiritual needs perceived social support, anxiety, and depression revealed a satisfactory fit to the data. Specifically, a higher level of social support predicted lower levels of anxiety and depression, which in turn predicted stronger spiritual needs.

CONCLUSIONS

The spiritual needs of breast cancer patients were associated with individual characteristics and psychosocial elements. Patients' spiritual needs should therefore be effectively evaluated, especially the needs of those who are not religious. Furthermore, comprehensive, needs-tailored interventions that incorporate spiritual, biological, psychological and social support should be formulated.

IMPACT

Nurses should become more aware of the spiritual needs of breast cancer patients, incorporate a spiritual focus into their care and develop comprehensive needs tailored to their characteristics as well as interventions based on biopsychosocial factors.

The Spiritual Needs Questionnaire in Research and Clinical Application: a Summary of Findings

To provide spiritual care, an assessment and documentation of patients´ spiritual struggles and/or their spiritual needs is required to initiate appropriate support planning processes. For that purpose, the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ) was developed in 2009 as an easy to apply standardized measure. The tool has so far been translated into numerous languages and is widely used as a valid and reliable instrument to assess a wide range of spiritual needs of patients with chronic diseases, elderly, adolescents, and healthy persons. Its four main factors address Religious needs, Existential needs, Inner Peace needs, and Giving/Generativity needs. Here, the main findings are summarized and discussed.

Quality of life in cancer patients with different preferences for nurse spiritual therapeutics: The role of psychological capital

AIM

To explore the status of quality of life and psychological capital and analyse the different effects of psychological capital on the quality of life of cancer patients with different preferences for nurse spiritual therapeutics.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey was used.

METHODS

Two hundred and eight cancer patients were recruited using convenience sampling from a tertiary Chinese hospital, between March and July 2019. Data on preferences for nurse spiritual therapeutics (PNST), psychological capital (PsyCap) and quality of life (QoL) were collected using paper questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple regression was employed to investigate the different influences of PsyCap on QoL of cancer patients with various levels of PNST.

RESULTS

Compared with patients having high PNST, patients with mild-moderate PNST experienced lower self-efficacy, hope, optimism, PsyCap and social/family well-being. PsyCap significantly explained the variance on QoL of patients with various levels of PNST. Age, gender, presence of caregiver were significant factors influencing physical, social/family and emotional well-being of patients with high PNST.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrates disparities in PsyCap and QoL between cancer patients with mild-moderate and high PNST. It is essential to be aware of the positive influences of PsyCap on QoL and develop effective interventions for patients to improve their QoL, especially for those with mild-moderate PNST.

IMPACT

It is necessary to realize the benefits of PsyCap on QoL of cancer patients with various levels of PNST. Appropriate training for nurses needs to be developed to promote their spiritual care competencies. Moreover, supportive interventions should be developed for cancer patients to improve their PsyCap and QoL.

The Translation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Persian Version of Brief Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale for Iranian Patients with Cancer

Background: Due to the growing prevalence of cancer globally, the disease is considered one of the most important sources of stress, disability, and reduced life satisfaction. Although life satisfaction is supposed to be a relatively stable psychological construct, it may change in response to life events. Life-satisfaction is the assessment of the quality of life according to one’s chosen criteria. Objectives: The purpose of this research is the psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of “Brief Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale” (BMLSS) in Iranian patients with cancer. Methods: The present study was a methodological research, during which the BMLSS was translated and the Farsi version was validated for patients with cancer. Results: The fit indices of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the dual dimension of the BMLSS. Regarding the convergent validity of the BMLSS, the total score of the instrument had a positive and significant relationship with age and the sense of religiosity. Cronbach's alpha and Intraclass Correlation were calculated. Conclusions: The findings indicated that this Persian version has good validity and reliability and can be used as a comprehensive instrument in Iran.

Perception of spiritual care among palliative care nurses: cross-sectional study in eastern Turkey

BACKGROUND

Spiritual care is an integral part of palliative care. A nurse's perception of spiritual care is an effective factor for giving spiritual care.

AIM

To determine the perception of spiritual care and the variables that might affect the perception of spiritual care among palliative care nurses.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 51 nurses working in the palliative care units. Perceptions of spiritual care was measured with the Spiritual Support Perception Scale.

FINDINGS

The mean score of the perception of the spiritual care of the nurses was found to be 64.22±9.25. A negative correlation was found between the nurses' mean score of the perception of spiritual care and the number of patients to whom those nurses provided daily care.

CONCLUSION

This study has found that palliative care nurses had a high level of perception of spiritual care. Based on the study results, it was determined that the number of patients receiving daily care was a predictor for the perception of spiritual care.

Spiritual care needs and associated factors among patients with ostomy: A Cross-Sectional Study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the spiritual care needs and associated factors in patients with ostomy.

BACKGROUND

The significance of the spiritual care needs of the patients has been emphasised across countries and cultures in the literature.

DESIGN

A descriptive, cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Outpatients with an ostomy (n = 127) were recruited from proctology, wound and stoma therapy unit and general surgery clinics between January and 28 March 2020. The data were collected using the Socio-demographic Characteristics Form and Spiritual Care Needs Inventory (SCNI). SCNI has two components, namely 'meaning and hope' and 'caring and respect'. Descriptive statistics, correlation, Student's t test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyse the data. The STROBE checklist was used to report the study.

RESULTS

The mean scores of the spiritual care needs (65.31 ± 12.83), meaning and hope (37.35 ± 9.37), and caring and respect (27.96 ± 5.63) of the patients with ostomy were found to be moderate. The most significant factors affecting the meaning and hope component were the age, being female and decreases in the level of income. Scores of the patients who perceived the severity of the disease seriously and who practiced religious ritual regularly had more spiritual care needs for the component of caring and respect. Patients with ostomy needed interaction, respect for their privacy and dignity, to be shown concern and to be respected for their religious and cultural beliefs, which were the most salient needs.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an unambiguous requirement for nurses to ensure spiritual care for patients with ostomy. Showing interest and spending time for the interaction with patients with ostomy, need-based spiritual practices and life review are key elements of spiritual care.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Evaluating patients with ostomy spiritually requires information about how spiritual needs may arise and how to talk about spiritual needs. The result of the present study may help nurses to begin the process of maintaining spiritual care for patients with ostomy.

Quality of life, self-compassion and mindfulness in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

We investigated whether self-compassion and mindfulness are associated with quality of life in patients undergoing antineoplastic chemotherapy.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of 183 patients (100% response rate) undergoing chemotherapy was conducted at a Brazilian hospital between August and December 2019. A questionnaire was administered by the research team, collecting clinical and demographic data as well as responses to the Self-compassion scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General instrument. Data analysis comprised descriptive and inferential statistics, with multiple regression and Spearman's rank-order correlation testing for associations between quality of life, self-compassion and mindfulness.

RESULTS

Mean scores for the study variables were 4.23 (SD = 0.63) for self-compassion, 69.05 (SD = 13.27) for mindfulness, and 80.25 (SD = 12.62) for quality of life. Significant positive correlations were observed between quality of life and self-compassion (r = 0.466, p < 0.001), as well as for quality of life and mindfulness (r = 0.325, p < 0.001). Higher levels of self-compassion and mindfulness were associated with better quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

This research suggests merit in further studies of self-compassion and mindfulness either as predictor variables or for direct causal effect on quality of life in cancer patients undergoing antineoplastic chemotherapy. We recommend that future studies incorporate an intervention and experimental design.

Spiritual Needs of Older Adults during Hospitalization: An Integrative Review

A hospital admission presents various challenges for a patient which often result in high or intense spiritual needs. To provide the best possible care for older adults during hospitalization, it is essential to assess patients’ spiritual needs. However, little research has been done into the spiritual needs of geriatric patients. This article seeks insight into what is known in the literature on the spiritual needs of geriatric patients. This integrative review presents a summary of the articles on this topic. To select eligible studies, the PRISMA Flow Diagram was used. This resulted in ten articles that have been reviewed. Results show (1) a wide interest in researching spiritual needs, using different research designs. In addition, (2) four subcategories of spiritual needs can be distinguished: (a) the need to be connected with others or with God/the transcendent/the divine, (b) religious needs, (c) the need to find meaning in life, and (d) the need to maintain one’s identity. Moreover, results show that (3) assessing spiritual needs is required to provide the best possible spiritual care, and that (4) there are four reasons for unmet spiritual needs. Further research is needed on the definition of spiritual needs and to investigate older patients’ spiritual needs and the relation with their well-being, mental health and religious coping mechanisms, in order to provide the best spiritual care.