Influence of spirituality, religion and beliefs in the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury

Samira Rocha Magalhães,Luciene Miranda De Andrade,Ana Karina Bezerra Pinheiro,Zuila Maria De Figueiredo Carvalho,Rita Mônica Borges Studart

doi:10.1590/0104-07072015000620014

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the influence of spirituality, religion and personal beliefs in the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury. This is a quantitative and exploratory longitudinal cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 49 people with spinal cord injury in two steps, in the hospital and at home, by applying the Quality of Life assessment tool - Spirituality, Religion and Personal Beliefs (WHOQOL-SRPB). Exploratory analyses were performed by using univariate frequency distributions and descriptive measures; validation of internal consistency; and by calculating the dimensions of the scale scores. The results show that the dimensions related to spirituality, religion and personal beliefs patients adopted as strategies to improve their quality of life in this research were confirmed by the high scores in the WHOQOL SRPB areas in both phases; there were differences only in the dimensions Sense of life and Spiritual strength. It is hoped that this study can highlight the importance of spiritual and emotional care.

Highlights

The sequelae and difficulties these people face to return to their family and social life interfere with their quality of life and, depending on their severity and irreversibility; they can lead to changes and biopsychosocial modifications, with bodily, psychological and social repercussions, requiring adaptation to the new life.[2]
This study aimed to evaluate the influence of spirituality, religiosity and personal beliefs in quality of life of people with Spinal cord injury (SCI) during hospitalization and at their homes
As regards the origin of the participants, 51.9% came from the interior of the state of Ceará, and 49.1% were from the capital Fortaleza

Summary

Introduction

The sequelae and difficulties these people face to return to their family and social life interfere with their quality of life and, depending on their severity and irreversibility; they can lead to changes and biopsychosocial modifications, with bodily, psychological and social repercussions, requiring adaptation to the new life.[2]. The depressive disorder is one of the most common in people with SCI and its severity varies from minor depression to adjustment disorders and major depressive episodes. People with SCI need physical, social, psychological and spiritual support for the promotion of quality of life, since they participate in a long rehabilitation program, which in most cases does not lead to cure, but only helps to adapt to the new life.[4]

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Conclusion