The study aimed to assess the spiritual nursing care competencies of BSN students in Region 1 through the utilization of a descriptive-correlational research design involving the 424 Levels 2 - 4 BSN students and 125 clinical instructors from 14 selected higher education institutions. Data were gathered through questionnaires and were analyzed using frequency percentage, mean, and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Findings revealed that the extent of the spiritual nursing care competencies of BSN students in Region 1 is moderate (spiritual nursing knowledge: x ̄ = 11.18; spiritual values: x ̄ = 3.77; and spiritual nursing skills: x ̄ = 2.76). There is a very weak positive, statistically significant correlation between the students' year level and spiritual values (r = 0.135, SD = 0.63, p < 0.01) and spiritual nursing skills (r = 0.153, SD = 0.62, p < 0.01). Furthermore, a very weak inverse significant relationship was revealed between the school category (r = -0.113, SD = 0.62, p < 0.05) and the level of accreditation (r = -0.101, SD = 0.62, p < 0.05) to their spiritual nursing skills. The BSN students in Region 1 are reasonably competent in rendering spiritual nursing care. Their year level, school category, and school accreditation are important factors to better spiritual nursing skills. As they advance in the year level, they are likely to assimilate spiritual values that are indispensable in delivering spiritual nursing care. However, amidst this favorable competence, clinical instructors still see the students as work in progress, capable of excelling. Thus, the utilization of the training module, which is an output of this endeavor, can help the nurse educators mold BSN students to advance their spiritual nursing care competence.
Spirituality

Humans ; Spirituality

Background: Among Filipino females, breast cancer is the leading malignancy which warrants palliative care that includes spiritual care to help improve quality of life and well-being.

Objective: Determine the associations of perceived spiritual beliefs and spiritual practices with perceived spiritual well-being among breast cancer patients consulting at the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH).

Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study using non-probability convenience sampling of adult females with breast cancer at the UP-PGH Breast Cancer Clinic (BCC). The survey utilized a self-administered questionnaire with sections on general demographics, spiritual beliefs, spiritual practices, and spiritual well-being. Descriptive statistics were used and analysis of associations was done through Fisher's exact test at a 5% level of significance.

Results: Among 219 study participants, almost all reported having perceptions of strong spiritual beliefs, adequate spiritual practices, and good spiritual well-being. Associations were found between perceived spiritual beliefs and spiritual well-being (F=51.2, p<0.001; R=0.4, p<0.001) and between perceived spiritual practices and spiritual well-being (F=62.0, p<0.001; R=0.4, p<0.001).

Conclusion: The associations found of perceived spiritual beliefs and spiritual practices with perceived spiritual well-being should be considered in providing spiritual care as part of the comprehensive management and palliative care for Filipino breast cancer patients.

Key Words: spirituality, well-being, cancer

Aging ; Humans ; Singapore ; Spirituality

Depression is the origin of ill health problems in college students. It advances as one of the leading causes of mental health issues. During their college life, freshmen encounter many firsts. These include a new environment, friends, exposure to social norms and culture. The students may struggle and experience difficulty if they cannot deal with these challenges. They can become a vulnerable population. Therefore, the overall purpose of this study is to conduct a baseline assessment of college students' experiences in the university. More so, this study 1) describes the characteristics of a sample of freshmen allied medical sciences students, 2) describes the levels of perceived social support from family and friends, spiritual experiences, and depressive symptomatology among allied medical sciences freshmen; and 3) to assesses the possible association among described positive influences (spirituality, family support, peer support) to depressive symptomatology. The study utilized a cross-sectional analytic quantitative design. In selecting respondents, a consecutive sampling technique was utilized. Respondents eligible to participate included first-year full-time students in the university taking up Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Bachelor of Medical Technologist (BSMT), and Bachelor of Science in Radiological Technologist (BSRT). A total of 110 undergraduate students participated in the study. Most of the students were females younger than 20 years old. The overall perceived social support from family and friends yielded average scores. The higher the scores, the greater the perception of social support from family and friends. For their spirituality, it showed that participants scored lower, indicating a high level of spiritual experiences. Lastly, the depression scale yielded high scores indicating that the participants had signs of severe/major depression, as based on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scoring. The relationships between Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Social Support from Family (PSS-Family) and Friends (PSS-Friends), and Spirituality Experiences were also evaluated. It showed that Depression and PSS-Friends yielded a statistically significant relationship. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between Depression and PSS-Family. For the spirituality experiences, the test revealed that there is also a statistically significant relationship with depression. Overall, the study concludes that college life is a period of increased challenge for young allied medical health students. Their courses accompany complex and challenging responsibilities that increase tensions and anxiety. The results from these processes may cause or worsen stress when not given priority and could lead to depressive symptomatology. It was reflected that freshmen students' peer support and spiritual experiences appear to be closely associated with depressive symptomatology.
Social Support ; Spirituality ; Depression

Background: The study of spirituality in old age has been extensively explored in recent years in the field of gerontology, but there is still much debate over the concept itself. To understand it better, it is necessary to delve deeper into how the relationship manifests itself among older adults. Objective: The goal of this study was to determine and analyze how older adults from various socio- demographic characteristics, economic backgrounds, and health status perceived spirituality. Methodology: In using qualitative cross-case analysis in a sample of 12 older adults who were 60 years old and above from Lanao del Sur, Philippines, this study explored the similarities and differences across and between cases in terms of the socio-demographic characteristics, economic backgrounds, and health status of older adults. Results: The findings revealed that one's spirituality is influenced by various factors and may take on different meanings depending on one's circumstances in life. The statements of the participants indicate that one's spirituality may be influenced by several factors such as, but not limited to, one's religion, sex, age, health status, financial condition, and educational attainment. Conclusion The research is significant because it is critical to comprehend the function of spirituality in the lives of older adults. It was suggested that families, the community, and faith-based institutions work together to analyze, plan, implement, and evaluate interventions for older adults. Exploring the different meanings of spirituality for older adults will improve spiritual nursing care as well as gerontological care. This contributes to the overall well-being of older adult patients.
Spirituality ; Health Status ; Religion

Background: During the last 10 years, there is an increase in the number of studies showing positive associations between spirituality and health. Studies cited that many patients would like spiritual issues embedded into their medical care but not many physicians deal with this elusive domain of well-being. Spiritual screening is a first step towards addressing the spiritual needs of patients. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of spiritual struggle in chronically ill patients. Data Collection: This is a descriptive cross-sectional type of study. Using the STATCALC of Epi Info Software for a simple random sampling, we enrolled 80 chronically ill patients from the service wards of the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, aged 19 years old and above, non-pregnant, and claimed to be Christians. Patients’ religious disposition was screened using the Religious Struggle Screening Protocol (RUSH Protocol) resulting to 3 actions: 1) referral to chaplain/spiritual counselor for a visit, 2) referral to chaplain/spiritual counselor for spiritual assessment, or 3) No Action. A patient perception feedback was likewise conducted. Results: Among 80 patients recruited, 100% of the subjects recognized the importance of spirituality in coping with their condition; of which 90% expressed desire to be visited or referred for spiritual support. As to the degree of comfort received from one’s religion or spirituality in their journey with illness, 82% receive complete level of comfort, and almost all of them (96%) wished to be visited by a chaplain. The remaining 18% claimed to receive less comfort than needed, and therefore, have the potential for religious/spiritual struggle -- 80% of which, desired to be referred for spiritual assessment. All patients found it helpful to be asked about their spiritual needs during history-taking, with 95% feeling comfortable with the way the spiritual needs were elicited by the researcher using the RUSH Protocol algorithm. Conclusion Spiritual issues should be considered as part of the patients’ medical care. The RUSH Protocol may be formally integrated in the history taking as an initial step for spiritual assessment to support vulnerable patients with chronic illness.
Chronic Disease ; Spirituality ; Humans

The purpose of this study is to explore the concept spirituality and to gain understanding of nursing intervention that may improve spiritual well-being. The concept analysis framework developed by Walker and Avant (1995) was used to clarify the concept. In the study, 'Harmonious Interconnectedness', 'Transcendence', 'Integrative Energy' and 'Purpose and Meaning in Life' emerged as the critical attributes of spirituality. The first attribute, 'harmonious Inter- connectedness', has three categories including intrapersonal, (self), interpersonal (others/ nature) and transpersonal (the Supreme Being). The second attribute, 'Transcendence', is defined as the ability to extend one's own self beyond the limits of usual experiences and to achieve new perspectives. This attribute is demonstrated by 'coping with situations', to 'self-healing', and 'transformation'. The third attribute of spirituality is 'Integrative Energy', which integrates all dimensions and acts as a creative and dynamic force that keeps a person growing and changing. 'Integrative Energy is also defined as an inner resource that gives a sense of empowerment. Therefore the highly spiritual person demonstrate 'inner peace', 'growing', 'inner strength,' and 'well-being'. The fourth attribute 'Purpose and Meaning in Life' represents a sense of connectedness with one's inner values and with a greater purpose in life. It is demonstrated by 'hope' and 'a powerful life'. In this study, the antecedents of the spirituality represented as 'spirit' and its potential enablers were 'Introspection/reflection', 'Interconnectedness with all living things', and an 'Awareness of a Higher-Power'. The consequences of this concept may be described as 'physical, psychosocial, and spiritual well-being'. Empirical referents of this are 'purposeful life' 'self-worth' 'hope' 'love' 'service' 'forgiveness' 'trust/belief' 'inner peace' 'self-actualization' 'religious practices' 'transformation' 'inner strength' and 'coping'. In conclusion, spirituality can be defined based on these critical attributes. Spirituality is a dynamic, integrative energy based on a feeling of harmonious interconnection with self, others and a higher power. Through it, one is enabled to transcend and to live with meaning and purpose in life.
Humans ; Nursing ; Power (Psychology) ; Spirituality*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between spiritual well-being and spiritual nursing intervention among nurses. METHOD: Participants (N=171) were recruited from September to November 2007. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and multiple regression. RESULTS: The score of spiritual well-being of nurses was 2.70 out of a total score of 4 and that of spiritual nursing care was 2.31 out of a total score of 4. There was a significantly positive relationship between spiritual well-being and spiritual nursing care (r=0.281, p<0.001). Spiritual well-being and clinical career explained 12.1% of the variance in spiritual nursing care of nurses. CONCLUSION: Spiritual well-being has the most important influence on spiritual nursing intervention of nurses. The findings suggest that it is needed to develop effective programs to improve spiritual well-being of nurses. More studies are required to identify other predictors of spiritual nursing intervention.
Nursing Care ; Spiritual Therapies ; Spirituality

PURPOSE: All nurses should provide spiritual care for their clients. It is especially important to care spiritually for cancer patients facing the crisis of life. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the concept of spirituality which is one of the basic concepts for spiritual care in cancer patients. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 8 cancer patients; 2 Christians,3 Buddhists, and 3 persons who did not have any religion. The data was collected and analyzed by Hybrid Model. RESULT: The results of this study were as follows: Dimensions of spirituality(vertical dimension connected with the absolute being, horizontal dimension related to others, existential dimension related to seeking of meaning), attributes of spirituality(dynamic process strengthened in suffering due to struggle with cancer, connectedness with the absolute being or will and belief in oneself, transcendence of reality, meaning and purpose of life, future oriented), outcomes of spirituality(intrinsic, behavioral). CONCLUSION: The spirituality of cancer patients is manifested differently by his(her) religion, age, past experiences and burden of family, and is able to be strengthened with cancer. Therefore, nurses should recognize that diagnosis and deterioration of cancer is not only a spiritual crisis but can be a good chance for spiritual growth, as well.
Buddhism* ; Christianity* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Spirituality*