Randomized Controlled Trial Study of the Impact of a Spiritual Intervention on Hope and Spiritual Well-Being of Persons with Cancer

Pain and Suffering: The Experience of Patients With Terminal Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

Analyze the meaning of pain and suffering experienced by patients with end-stage cancer from a systemic perspective.

DESIGN

Qualitative study based on General Systems Theory.

SAMPLE/PARTICIPANTS

Ten patients with terminal stage cancer were interviewed.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand the reasons for pain and suffering. From a systemic perspective, relationships and interrelationships between different categories, systems, and subsystems were established.

FINDINGS

More than a third of the patients identified the spiritual factor as the primary cause of their pain and suffering, above other factors (psychological, economic). They emphasized the importance of faith, religion, and beliefs during their illness.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PROVIDERS

Including training on aspects of spiritual care in the academic curricula of health professionals would enhance the quality of care for patients at the end of their lives.

Implementation of a Faith Community Nursing Transition of Care Program in the USA: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Faith community nursing (FCN) is a specialty nursing practice that integrates spiritual and religious practices into patient care. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the impact of the standardized FCN transition of care (TOC) program on the rate of hospital readmission and length of stay (LOS) through propensity score matching and difference-in-differences methods. Compared with those in the non-FCN group (n = 409), patients in the FCN group (n = 66) had a reduced likelihood of hospital readmission at 30, 90, and 180 days after discharge (by 8.8%, 9.0%, and 9.5%, respectively). Additionally, the FCN group exhibited a shorter LOS by 0.31, 0.53, and 0.87 days at 30, 90, and 180 days, respectively. The present study thus demonstrated the successful implementation of the FCN TOC program in a hospital setting, which reduced both the hospital readmission rate and LOS after discharge.

Multiple Mediating Roles of Self-Efficacy and Hope in the Relationship Between Teachers' Spiritual Well-Being and Job Satisfaction in Türkiye

Teachers' job satisfaction is a fundamental factor shaping school effectiveness and productivity. Therefore, identifying the psychological factors that influence job satisfaction is crucial in efforts to enhance teachers' job satisfaction. In this study, we aimed to reveal the multiple mediating roles of self-efficacy and hope in the relationship between teachers' spiritual well-being and job satisfaction. To achieve this aim, we tested our theoretical model with data collected from 356 teachers. The findings suggest that teachers' hope, and self-efficacy partially mediate the relationship between their spiritual well-being and job satisfaction. These results indicate that teachers' levels of spiritual well-being play an effective role in enhancing job satisfaction via psychological resources such as self-efficacy and hope. In this context, educational leaders should consider teachers' spiritual and psychological needs, organize school environments accordingly, and foster a positive institutional culture.

Investigation of Hope and Spiritual Well-Being Levels among Relatives of Intensive Care Patients in Turkey

This study was conducted to determine the levels of hope and spiritual well-being among relatives of intensive care patients. The data were collected using the Patient Descriptive Information Form, Trait Hope Scale, and Spiritual Well-Being Scale. The mean total scores on the Trait Hope Scale and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale were 48.24 ± 8.37 and 104.99 ± 8.06, respectively. The mean scores on the Trait Hope Scale differed significantly according to the employment status, income status, and the reaction of the patient's relatives during the visit (p < 0.05). A significant difference was found between the mean scores of patient relatives on the Spiritual Well-Being Scale according to the level of education, income, and the intensive care unit where the patient was hospitalized (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between the Trait Hope Scale and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (p < 0.05). This study found that patient relatives had good hope and spiritual well-being levels, and spiritual well-being increased the level of hope among patient relatives.

Spirituality and Hope Levels of Lung Cancer Patients Who Had Surgery in Turkey

This study explores the relationship between spirituality and hope levels in lung cancer patients. Cancer patients often use their spirituality as a way of coping. Among a sample of 124 Turkish lung cancer patients, spirituality levels were assessed using the Spiritual Orientation Scale (SOS) and hope levels were measured using the Herth Hope Scale (HHS). Spirituality and hope levels in Turkish lung cancer patients were found to be above average. While no significant effect of demographic and disease-related variables was detected on spirituality and hope levels, spirituality and hope were found to be positively correlated in Turkish lung cancer patients.

Appraisals of cancer, religious/spiritual coping, and hope in patients with colorectal cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To examine the extent to which religious/spiritual coping moderates the association between stress appraisals and hope among patients with colorectal cancer.

DESIGN/RESEARCH APPROACH

A longitudinal, prospective examination of hope, stress appraisals of cancer, and religious/spiritual coping through self-report questionnaires at baseline, 6-months, and 12-months post-surgery.

SAMPLE/PARTICIPANTS

One hundred thirty-nine newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer recruited from tertiary medical centers.

FINDINGS

Challenge and threat appraisals predicted hope. Only the relationship between hope and challenge appraisals was significantly moderated by coping through religion/spirituality, such that those who were both low on challenge and low in religious/spiritual coping reported the lowest hope.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Hope is predicted by how people appraise their cancer. Hope was lowest among participants who reported both low challenge appraisals and religious/spiritual coping.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL PROVIDERS

Understanding how patients appraise their cancer and use religion/spirituality to cope may help providers understand which patients are at risk for low hope.