Dimensions Of Spiritual Well-being Research Articles

EXPLORING RELATIONSHIPS AMONG CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM SERVICE VALUES, SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING, AND LIFE SATISFACTION: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE POST-PANDEMIC ERA

Cultural ecosystem services significantly affected human well-being in the COVID-19 era. This study investigates visitors’ cultural ecosystem service values at Saguaro National Park (US) and how those values affect tourists’ spiritual well-being and life satisfaction in the post-pandemic era with an exploratory mixed-methods approach. In a qualitative phase using a netnographic analysis of Instagram data (N = 449), seven themes emerged: national environment, learning, socialization, escape and solitude, mental well-being, outdoor recreation during COVID-19, and tourism during COVID-19. Subsequently, these themes were used to develop and test the proposed hypotheses on data collected from 316 participants of an online survey using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results disclosed that cultural ecosystem service values can significantly affect different dimensions of spiritual well-being. This study emphasizes the mediating role of personal and communal spiritual well-being between cultural ecosystem service values and life satisfaction. Further, it bridges the application of real-time social media surveillance with a content analysis of text and images and a quantitative analysis of qualitative results. The managerial implications provide suggestions for promoting small/medium national parks in the post-pandemic era.

Impact of spirituality on elderly people's quality of life and life satisfaction after acute myocardial infarction: Iranian hospital-based study.

As people age, survival after a heart attack can affect their quality of life and lead to a decrease in life satisfaction. After a myocardial infarction, elderly patients may experience physical, psychological, emotional and social changes that affect their thoughts and behaviour in relation to spirituality. To investigate the relationship between spiritual well-being and other sociodemographic and medical history-related factors on quality of life and life satisfaction among elderly people after myocardial infarction. In a census-based cross-sectional study conducted at the Imam Reza Hospital in Amol, Iran, from May 2020 to May 2021, data on sociodemographics, medical history, subjective well-being, life satisfaction and quality of life were collected from 502 participants who were referred at the heart clinic. The findings showed that spiritual well-being dimensions (religious well-being, [self-assessment of one's relationship with God], and existential well-being, [self-assessment of one's sense of purpose in life and life satisfaction]) were not significantly associated with life satisfaction, but a high perception of both dimensions of spiritual well-being were associated with higher self-reported quality of life. A history of past-year hospital admission and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were significant predictors of life satisfaction, and educational level was a predictor of quality of life. The study found no significant association between spiritual well-being and life satisfaction among elderly people following myocardial infarction. This finding might have been influenced by the physical and emotional challenges experienced by the participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further studies are needed to confirm this relationship.

Black People, Spirituality, and Mental Health

The influence of spirituality and religiosity in the Black community has historically been significant. While spirituality and religiosity are important for the majority of Americans, compared to other races/ethnicities, Black people report the highest valuation for religion in their individual lives. Spirituality and religiosity have known protective effects on health, although, compared to the general relationship between these factors and general health care, the role of spirituality and religiosity within the mental health system is not well characterized. In significant ways for the Black community, while serving a protective and positive function, spirituality and religiosity can also create tensions for patients within mainstream mental health care systems that emphasize a biopsychosocial framework, leaving out key dimensions of spiritual well-being and formation. The complexity of the relationship between Black people's mental health and their religion and spirituality also has roots in a history of colonialism and racism. In this article, we describe some ways in which religion and spirituality have been important to the health and well-being of the Black community, as well as certain ways these factors have created tension within the community. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2023;53(12):540–544.]

Effectiveness of an MPPI: Gratitude-Based Spiritual Group Guidance Program (GSGGP)

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the Gratitude-Based Spiritual Group Guidance Program (GSGGP), a spiritually oriented group guidance process, on gratitude expression, intrinsic spirituality, and sense of meaning and peace. Using a pre-test-post-test control group design among quasi-experimental designs, the study examined an experimental group that received GSGGP and a control group that did not receive any interventions. The experimental group consisted of 44 university students (5 male, 39 female), with participants’ ages ranging from 18 to 30 (X = 21.55 ± 2.16). The study findings revealed subtle differences in post-test gratitude expression scores between the groups, suggesting a potential impact of the intervention. Intra-group analysis within the experimental group showed statistically significant increases in gratitude expression and intrinsic spiritual experiences. Moreover, the experimental group exhibited enhancements in dimensions of spiritual well-being, including peace-related experiences and the perception of meaning. Overall, the GSGGP demonstrates potential to influence various dimensions of gratitude expression, internal spirituality, and spiritual well-being, offering insights into its multifaceted impact and role in personal growth.

Effectiveness of an MPPI: Gratitude-Based Spiritual Group Guidance Program (GSGGP)

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the Gratitude-Based Spiritual Group Guidance Program (GSGGP), a spiritually oriented group guidance process, on gratitude expression, intrinsic spirituality, and sense of meaning and peace. Using a pre-test-post-test control group design among quasi-experimental designs, the study examined an experimental group that received GSGGP and a control group that did not receive any interventions. The experimental group consisted of 44 university students (5 male, 39 female), with participants’ ages ranging from 18 to 30 (X = 21.55 ± 2.16). The study findings revealed subtle differences in post-test gratitude expression scores between the groups, suggesting a potential impact of the intervention. Intra-group analysis within the experimental group showed statistically significant increases in gratitude expression and intrinsic spiritual experiences. Moreover, the experimental group exhibited enhancements in dimensions of spiritual well-being, including peace-related experiences and the perception of meaning. Overall, the GSGGP demonstrates potential to influence various dimensions of gratitude expression, internal spirituality, and spiritual well-being, offering insights into its multifaceted impact and role in personal growth.

Dimensions of spiritual well-being in relation to physical and psychological symptoms: a cross-sectional study of advanced cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit

ObjectivesAdvanced cancer patients face various symptoms, which can cause physical and psychological distress. As a multidimensional construct, spiritual well-being (SWB) may be an inner resource for dealing with these problems. Our study explored the impact of different dimensions of SWB on physical and psychological symptoms in advanced cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 108 advanced cancer patients in the Hospice Ward, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. Patients completed questionnaires on SWB and cancer-related symptoms (insomnia, fatigue, pain, depression and anxiety) at the time of admission. Linear regression analysis was applied to determine the relationship between SWB (meaning, peace and faith) and symptom distress.ResultsSWB accounted for an additional variance of cancer-related symptoms (17.8% to 44.4%). Meaning was negatively associated with insomnia (β = -0.516, p < 0.001) and fatigue (β = -0.563, p < 0.001). Peace and faith were related to lower psychological symptoms, while meaning represented a positive effect on anxiety (β = 0.275, p = 0.036). Higher peace was associated with lower cancer pain (β = -0.422, p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur findings suggested that achieving peace and faith appeared to function consistently as a positive resource for advanced cancer patients on depression, anxiety and pain, while meaning may serve to facilitate or hinder positive adjustment. Future studies should focus on the potential clinical implications by identifying the distinct dimension of SWB as symptom management targets in the palliative care practice.

Investigating the Spiritual Well-Being of Employee Nurses in the Hospitals of Birjand University of Medical Sciences in 2022

Background: In recent decades, spiritual well-being has gained fundamental importance in many healthcare environments. Spiritual well-being is important information about healthcare needs, allowing people to deal with mental stress. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the spiritual well-being of nurses working in Birjand University of Medical Sciences hospitals in 2022. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 354 nurses working in the hospitals of the University of Medical Sciences in Birjand City in 2022 were selected by proportional stratified random sampling, and they completed the questionnaire related to demographic information and the standard questionnaire of spiritual well-being. Data were analyzed by SPSS v26 software and ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test, Pearson correlation, and chi-square at 0.05 significant level. Results: The mean age of the nurses participating was 35.76 ± 7.29 years, and the mean total score of nurses' spiritual well-being was 180.55 ± 16.95. Most of the people in the field of communication with God (78.5%), self (58.8%), others (75.1%), and nature (78.5%), and the total score (52%) were in the medium level of spiritual well-being. There was a significant direct correlation between all dimensions of spiritual well-being (P &lt; 0.001). Also, there was a statistically significant relationship between the mean score of spiritual well-being and age, employment status, and workplace hospital (zage = 7.76; z employment = 18.95; z workplace = 18.62; P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Considering that the nurses were medium in terms of spirituality and spiritual well-being, it is suggested to hold educational workshops to improve the level of spiritual well-being of nurses.

Spiritual Well-being Among Mothers of Children With Autism in Tehran: A Descriptive Study

Background &amp; Aims: Mothers of children with autism face many problems that can affect their life. On the other hand, spirituality, as one of the essential aspects of man’s life, has a significant relationship with human health. This study seeks to determine the spiritual well-being of mothers of children with autism. Materials &amp; Methods: The type of present study was descriptive-cross-sectional. In this study, mothers were identified among the 7 schools for children with autism, and 200 people participated in the survey in stages, according to the inclusion criteria. The collected data were used using descriptive statistical methods such as setting frequency distribution tables, calculating numerical indices, and independent chi-square and t-test. The paired t-test was used to achieve the goals under SPSS software v. 16. Results: The Mean±SD spiritual well-being of mothers was 77.17±10.51. Mean±SD spiritual well-being (41.11±5.61) had the highest, and Mean±SD existential well-being (36.06±5.67) had the lowest score. Conclusion: In this study, the spiritual well-being dimension of spiritual well-being was in a better position compared to its Existential Dimension of Health. It can be said that the mothers participating in the present study are richer in spiritual well-being compared to existential health.

The Predictive Role of Spiritual Wellbeing in Social Anxiety of Al-Zahra University Students, Iran, 2019

Background and Objectives: Social anxiety disorder is one of the most common anxiety disorders. It presents with a persistent fear of one or more social or functional situations and is highly prevalent. This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of spiritual wellbeing in social anxiety. Methods: The method of research was descriptive correlational. The study population included all students of Al-Zahra University in the 2018-2019 academic year. The cluster random sampling method was used to recruit 290 samples. Data collection tools included social phobia inventory and spiritual wellbeing. A correlation and multivariate regression test was used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that the dimensions of spiritual wellbeing have a negative relationship with social anxiety. Based on these results, the correlation coefficient (r=0.157) between the total score of spiritual wellbeing and social anxiety is significant (P&lt;0.01). Also, the results showed that the spiritual wellbeing variable explains 10% of the changes in social anxiety. Conclusion: According to these findings, planning, and teaching to promote students’ spiritual wellbeing are essential in reducing their social anxiety.

Relationship of Spiritual well-being and emotional intelligence among Iranian' nursing students

Background: Among all aspects of nursing care, the spiritual one is the issue that has received little attention. Having spiritual wellbeing (SWB) is a necessity to provide appropriate spiritual care. In addition to, the Emotional intelligence (EI) is one of the most important factors in social and professional success and is essential for effective nursing practice. Therefore, aim of study was evaluating the Relationship between SWB and EI among nursing students. Methods: The sample of this descriptive-analytic study consisted of 136 nursing students studying at Bam University of Medical Sciences selected by convenience sampling method. The Bradberry and Greaves 28-item EI scale, Palutzian and Ellison SWB Scale were used to assess the total score of EI and SWB. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA with SPSS v18. Results: The mean score of SWB and EI were 97.1±11.56 and 123.4 + 123.6, respectively. The mean score dimensions of SWB include (religious wellbeing 47.9±6.6, existential wellbeing 49.1±5.7) and dimensions EI: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management were 27.2 3 3.2, 36.2 2 5.4, 25.1 + 3.5 and 35.1 + 4.5, respectively. The majority of students have reported moderate level SWB and high level of emotional intelligence. The factors influencing their level of SWB were academic semester and age (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Although the level of students' EI and SWB were at a desirable level in this study, due to the nature of nursing and the interaction between nurses and patients, providing a suitable learning environment for the development of EI is essential. Therefore, it is suggested that nursing policymakers should develop appropriate educational programs for nurses and provide curriculum for students to promote their knowledge and skills. Keywords: spiritual, religious, wellbeing, existential, nursing, emotional intelligence

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurse Spirituality, Stress, Coping, Spiritual Well-being, and Intent to Leave: A Mixed-method Study.

Background: Intense emotional demands of oncology nursing create a stressful work environment and increase the likelihood of leaving. The study aims to explore, describe, and understand how pediatric hematology/oncology nurses caring for chronically ill or dying patients use their spirituality to cope with job stress, maintain spiritual well-being (SWB), and continue to work in this specialty. Methods: A concurrent mixed-method research design consisted of a web-based survey and interview. Data collection included demographics, intent to leave questions, and four valid and reliable research instruments measuring spirituality, stress, coping, and SWB. A responsive interview guide directed interviews. Results: Quantitative analysis (n = 130) revealed moderate to high levels of spirituality, moderate stress, coping, and SWB. Stress and SWB were weakly, inversely correlated (r = -.221, p = .011) indicating lower stress was associated with greater SWB. Coping and SWB were weakly, positively correlated (r = .248, p = .005) indicating greater coping was associated with greater SWB. An intent to leave in the next year was reported by 5.4%. Emerging themes from qualitative data (n = 22) included faith-informed or existential spirituality, work environment, and emotional/psychological stressors such as feeling overwhelmed or witnessing suffering and coping through self-care and spirituality. Dimensions of SWB included spiritually based coping and life's meaning and purpose. Intent to leave was related to the work environment or travel distance. Discussion: A nurse's spirituality offers a mechanism for coping with accumulated losses and grief encountered in clinical practice and in turn supports SWB.

The Relationship between Spiritual Well-Being and Quality of Life among Postmenopausal Women

Background & aim: Menopause exerts negative impacts on women's quality of life. It seems that drawing on spiritual resources can be effective in improving the quality of life among this population. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the relationship between spiritual wellbeing and the quality of life of postmenopausal women. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on postmenopausal women referring to Ibn Sina and Amir Hamzeh health centers in Isfahan, Iran in 2018-2019, among whom 340 cases were selected via the non-probability sampling method. The research instruments included the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) developed by Paloutzian and Ellison and the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 21) using descriptive statistical tests and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The obtained results pointed to the positive and significant correlation of existential and religious dimensions of spiritual wellbeing with the eight dimensions of quality of life (p <0.05). Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, spiritual wellbeing and its components are important variables affecting the quality of life of postmenopausal women. Therefore, it is essential to design interventions aiming at strengthening spiritual/religious values and beliefs to promote the health of postmenopausal women and consequently improvement of their quality of life.Â

A path analysis model of spiritual well-being and quality of life in Iranian cancer patients: a mediating role of hope.

Maintenance of quality of life (QOL) is vital for adaptation to life-threatening and chronic illnesses such as cancer. Therefore, the evaluation and strengthening of personal psychological resources that support QOL for patients with cancer is paramount. This study investigated the potential mediating role of hope in the relationship between spiritual well-being and QOL in Iranian cancer patients. A correlational predictive design was used with 200 patients with varying types and stage of cancer. Demographic and health characteristic surveys, spiritual well-being (SWB), adult hope, and EORTC QLQ-c30 scales were used for measuring the study constructs. Path analysis modeling was used to determine mediation relationships. Patients' QOL was affected by SWB and hope. Religious (β = 0.205, p = 0.002) and existential (β = 0.286, p < 0.001) SWB dimensions and hope (β = 0.263, p < 0.001) improved QOL scores. The presence of hope partially mediated the relationship between SWB and QOL. Quality of life was directly affected by SWB and was further improved by the presence of hope. The study suggests that maintenance of hope is essential to QOL in Iranian patients with cancer.

Existential Well-Being and Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adults

The aim of this study was to determine the independent effect of existential well-being (EWB) and religious well-being (RWB), two dimensions of spiritual well-being, on various measures of health related quality of life (HQROL) in a sample of 804 young adults. Independent variables were measured using the EWB and RWB subscales of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale; dependent variables were measured using questions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HRQOL – 14 Measure. Linear and ordinal regression results found stronger associations of EWB, compared to RWB, with increased overall HQROL, more healthy days and fewer unhealthy days, and better general health status, respectively.

Investigating the effect of meditation on spiritual wellbeing of Type-2 diabetic amputees: A clinical trial study

ObjectivesDiabetes is a chronic, progressive and life-threatening metabolic syndrome that causes physical complications such as amputation, psychological complications and crisis in one's life, which leads to increased expression of spirituality and increased use of spiritual support as a coping mechanism. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of spiritual care on the spiritual wellbeing of type-2 diabetic amputees. Materials and methodsIn the present clinical trial study, 54 type-2 diabetic amputees were randomly divided into two groups; namely, experimental and control in 2014 and underwent meditation in three sessions. The 20-item spiritual well-being scale (SWBS) (Paloutzian and Ellision), which measures the spiritual well-being dimensions, was completed by patients before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential methods (paired T-test, independent t-test, Fisher's exact test, mann-whitney test, and chi-square) in SPSS ver. 16. ResultsThe results showed no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of mean spiritual wellbeing before the intervention, but, the post-intervention mean spiritual wellbeing score in the control and experimental groups was 97.82 ± 9.25 and 88.40 ± 9.47, respectively. (α = 0.05) (P = 0.001). ConclusionAccording to the results of the present study, it seems that spiritual care is able to improve the spiritual wellbeing status of individuals.

Associations Between Spirituality, Mindfulness, and Psychological Symptoms Among Advanced Lung Cancer Patients and Their Spousal Caregivers

ContextPatients with metastatic lung cancer and their spousal caregivers are at high risk of psychological symptoms. Mindfulness may improve psychological symptoms via spiritual well-being (SW); yet, this mediation model has not been examined in a dyadic context. ObjectivesWe examined the mediating role of two dimensions of SW (meaning/peace and faith) in the mindfulness-symptoms link in Stage IV lung cancer patients and their spousal caregivers. MethodsWe examined the actor-partner interdependence model of mediation using multivariate multilevel modeling with 78 couples. Four actor-partner interdependence model of mediation analyses were conducted to examine one predictor (mindfulness) × two mediators (meaning/peace and faith) × two psychological symptoms (depressive symptoms and cancer distress). We also tested four alternative models in which mindfulness mediates the associations between SW and psychological symptoms. ResultsThe alternative model (SW → mindfulness → psychological symptoms) was preferred than the original model (mindfulness → SW → psychological symptoms). For patients, meaning/peace was directly associated with their own psychological symptoms, whereas faith was only indirectly associated with their own psychological symptoms via mindfulness. For spouses, meaning/peace was both directly and indirectly associated with their own psychological symptoms, whereas faith was only directly associated with their own depressive symptoms (but not cancer distress). Moreover, spouses' faith was indirectly associated with patients' psychological symptoms through patients' mindfulness. ConclusionSW is associated with patients' and spouses' psychological symptoms both directly and indirectly through mindfulness. Thus, interventions that target SW, particularly meaning and peace, along with mindfulness may be beneficial to the psychological management of patients facing a terminal disease and their spousal caregivers.

The Science of Cathedral Studies: Exploring Demographic Profile, Motivational Intentions, and Perceived Impact among those Attending the Holly Bough Service in Liverpool Cathedral

The Holly Bough service is a unique pre-Christmas event, combining musical excellence and theological depth, crafted by the founding dean of Liverpool Cathedral in the early twentieth century for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Located within the developing science of cathedral studies, this paper analyses the demographic profile, motivational intention (drawing on religious orientation theory) and perceived impact on spiritual wellbeing (drawing on Fisher’s four dimensional model) among 564 participants who completed a detailed survey at the service held in 2019. The data demonstrated a mix of ages, a sense of Anglican commitment to this form of event-belonging by those who return year-on-year and invite friends to join them, and a perceived beneficial impact on all four dimensions of spiritual wellbeing.

Dignity Therapy Helps Terminally Ill Patients Maintain a Sense of Peace: Early Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Dignity Therapy (DT) is a brief, individualized, narrative psychotherapy developed to reduce psychosocial and existential distress, and promote dignity, meaning, and hope in end of life patients. Previous studies have shown that DT was effective in reducing anxiety and depression, and improving dignity-related distress. However, less is known about its efficacy on spiritual well-being. The aim of this study is to contribute to the existing literature by investigating the effects of DT on specific dimensions of spiritual well-being, demoralization and dignity-related distress in a sample of terminally ill patients.Methods: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted with 64 terminally ill patients who were randomly assigned to the intervention group (DT + standard palliative care) or the control group (standard palliative care alone). The primary outcome measures were Meaning, Peace, and Faith whereas the secondary outcome measures were (loss of) Meaning and purpose, Distress and coping ability, Existential distress, Psychological distress, and Physical distress. All measures were assessed at baseline (before the intervention), 7–10 and 15–20 days after the baseline assessment. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Protocol Record NCT04256239).Results: The MANOVA yielded a significant effect for the Group X Time interaction. ANOVA with repeated measures showed a significant effect of time on peace and a significant Group X Time interaction effect on peace. Post hoc comparisons revealed that, while there was a decrease in peace from pre-treatment to follow-up and from post-treatment to follow-up in the control group, there was no such trend in the intervention group.Discussion: This study provides initial evidence that patients in the DT intervention maintained similar levels of peace from pre-test to follow-up, whereas patients in the control group showed a decrease in peace during the same time period. We did not find significant longitudinal changes in measures of meaning, faith, loss of meaning and purpose, distress and coping ability, existential, psychological and physical distress. The findings of our study are of relevance in palliative care and suggest the potential clinical utility of DT, since they offer evidence for the importance of this intervention in maintaining peace of mind for terminally ill patients.

Spirituality and psychological well-being in adults of Haitian descent

ABSTRACTThe following study sought to determine if the spiritual well-being (SWB) of adults of Haitian descent predicted their psychological well-being (PWB). Prior research has demonstrated that SWB predicts PWB in adult populations. However, no studies have examined this predictive relationship in adults of Haitian descent. In order to examine this relationship, a sample of 79 Haitian adults completed a measure of both SWB and PWB. Findings revealed that SWB predicted total PWB. Additionally, the researchers found that the two dimensions of SWB; religiosity and existentialism predicted total psychological well-being. Further, it was revealed that existentialism was a better predictor of PWB on the six subscales of the Psychological Well-being Scale (PWBS). These findings suggest that Haitians living in America have a unique spiritual epistemology that contributes to their PWB.

Improving spiritual well-being among cancer patients: implications for clinical care.

This study aimed to explore the associated factors of spiritual well-being among cancer patients and the relationship between spiritual well-being (SWB) and quality of life (QOL). This cross-sectional study was conducted in 200 Chinese cancer patients in a tertiary cancer hospital. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-being (FACIT-Sp) were used to measure SWB and QOL levels of participants. Multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between SWB and QOL. The mean score of QOL was 59.8 (SD 13.1) with a range of 27-106. The mean score of SWB was 24.4 (SD 6.5), with a range of 8-48. Hospitalization frequency was the only variable associated with SWB. In terms of the relationship between SWB and QOL, the meaning and peace subscales were significantly related to overall QOL. It was also observed that the meaning subscale was positively related to social/family well-being, emotional well-being, and functional well-being. The peace subscale was related to the physical well-being, social/family well-being, and functional well-being. Faith was negatively related to physical and emotional well-being, but it had a positive effect on functional well-being. Given that the meaning and peace subscales are related to a higher QOL level, it is important to find ways to improve these dimensions of spiritual well-being among cancer inpatients during treatment.