Abstract
Cancer affects individuals in all human dimensions. Cancer patients are more susceptible to spiritual distress. Several studies have addressed spiritual distress using quantitative designs; however, a qualitative approach to the experience of spiritual distress could provide a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. This study aims to synthesis the experience of spiritual distress as lived by cancer patients in qualitative primary studies. This is a literature review based on electronic databases search. A total of 4075 citations was identified and 23 studies were included. The most frequent qualitative research method was phenomenology (n = 15), and interviews were the main data collection method (n = 20). Two major themes have been identified related to the experience of spiritual distress: suffering and coping. Spiritual distress is an intimate, deep and suffering experience in life, which requires coping strategies and involves spiritual values and beliefs. Healthcare providers should be aware of this experience and recognize spiritual distress in cancer patients, as it is critical in providing holistic nursing care.
Highlights
Cancer leaves an alarming and devastating effect at the global level and is considered a leading public health problem (Siegel et al 2018)
Studies were published in 17 different journals, the journals having the largest number of publications were Oncology Nursing Forum (n = 4), Support
This review has aimed to provide a synthesis of qualitative studies regarding spiritual distress in cancer patients
Summary
Cancer leaves an alarming and devastating effect at the global level and is considered a leading public health problem (Siegel et al 2018). Cancer is one of the world’s leading causes of morbidity and mortality, with 14 million new cases and eight million cancer-related deaths have been diagnosed in. In the USA, 4700 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each day (Siegel et al 2018), 87% of all cancers are diagnosed in patients having 50 years of age or older, and the mortality rate is 1670 deaths per day, resulting in the second leading cause of death (American Cancer Society 2018). Cancer has a nefarious effect on patients’ life and can decrease hope and dreams (Villagomeza 2005).
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