BACKGROUND

The migration from classroom learning to real patient encounters during clinical clerkship is a transformative journey that carries with it many challenges which serve as rich sources of meaning. The actual patient interactions are pivotal opportunities that provide transcendental meanings which contribute to the well-rounded development of medical clerks, ultimately enhancing their ability to deliver better patient care.

Utilizing a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study allowed exploration of intricate layers of meaning embedded within the encounters of three female medical clerks in a medical university hospital in Manila, Philippines. The gathered narratives were analyzed and meanings were derived from these statements. The identified meanings were then organized into themes and essential insights that represented the core essence of the phenomenon being studied.

The reflections extracted from narratives revealed the emergence of 10 significant major themes stemming from medical clerks’ patient encounters. These encounters were consistently described as a sacred responsibility, providing opportunities for profound connections, resilience, deepened faith and comprehensive personal and professional development within a caring and compassionate environment.

The transformative journey was marked by profound personal and spiritual growth among medical clerks. Beyond developing their clinical skills, they experienced a transcendence that spoke to human desire for meaning beyond the material world. This "spirituality of encounter" fostered deeper connections with patients and enriched their perspectives on clinical practice that can further enhance their holistic development as medical students.

This paper summarizes a lecture on psychiatry and spirituality, which examined research onthe relationship between religion, spirituality and mental health, and discussed theimportance of addressing spiritual issues in psychotherapy. In this article, religion andspirituality are first differentiated from one another. Next, research on the relationshipbetween religion and mental health is examined. Third, a theoretical model is presentedexplaining how religious involvement may affect mental and social health. Fourth, a review of religious/spiritually-integrated psychotherapy is presented with a focus ondepression/anxiety, moral injury, and PTSD. Finally, further resources for more informationabout the topic is provided. Because many people in the Philippines are religious, and religionaffects mental health one way or the other, it cannot be ignored by psychiatrists who practicein this country.
Religion ; Spirituality ; Depression ; Anxiety ; Suicide ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; Psychotherapy

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

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: 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

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

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a new version of Spirituality Assessment Scale (N-SAS) and verify its reliability and validity.METHODS: The total of 59 preliminary items for the N-SAS were selected through a literature review, two rounds of experts' content validation, cognitive interviews, and pre-tests. Verification of its reliability and validity was divided into two phases. In Phase I, questionnaires were collected from 219 adults. Reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha, validity with item analysis, and exploratory factor analysis. In Phase II, questionnaires developed based on the results of Phase I were collected from 225 adults. Reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha, validity with confirmatory factor analysis, and criterion validity.RESULTS: The final version of the N-SAS comprised two dimensions (vertical and horizontal), four domains (relationship with God; meaning of life and self-integration; self-transcendence; and relationship with others, neighborhoods, and nature), and 44 items were identified. Total Cronbach's α was .97; those of each subscale ranged from .79 to .98. N-SAS scores were positively correlated with the scores of Howden's Spiritual Assessment Scale (r=.81, p<.001).CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that the N-SAS can be used to measure spirituality in adults. The use of N-SAS is expected to facilitate perceiving patient's spiritual needs and providing spiritual care.
Adult ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Humans ; Reproducibility of Results ; Residence Characteristics ; Spirituality

This descriptive correlational study determined the level of hope and spiritual wellbeing among Filipino caregivers of terminally-ill cancer patients, and the relationship of hope and spiritual wellbeing to various patient and caregiver characteristics. The study involved 50 caregivers of terminally-ill-cancer patients, mostly belonging to 51-60 age group (42%) with mean age of 44 years (SD=15), mostly females (72%), married (62%), Roman Catholic (90%), high school graduates (50%), spouses of patients (28%), with an average of 18.36 hours of caregiving in a day for an average duration of 21.4 months. The hope and spirituality scores of caregivers were 3.24 (SD=0.28) and 3.25 (SD=0.46) respectively. Caregivers had high self-efficacy (3.29) but low social support (1.72). Patient's age was moderately correlated with caregiver's hope (r=0.3; p=0.03). Caregiver's educational attainment was significantly associated with hope (p<0.01) and spiritual wellbeing (p<0.01). Caregiver's self-efficacy was moderately correlated with their spiritual wellbeing (r=0.46, p<0.01). Caregiver's hopes were (1) for their patients to get well and recover from their illness, (2) to have strong spiritual faith and be healed with God's help (3) to be hopeful and positive, (4) hope for longer life, (5) resumption of family relations, and (6) free of pain and other discomforts. Caregivers' thoughts on spiritual wellbeing were to have: (1) stronger faith, (2) being prayerful, and (3) being positive. Compared to other studies, Filipino caregivers had lower hope scores, but higher spiritual wellbeing scores. Nursing interventions promoting hope and spiritual wellbeing should be conducted in patients' room, clinic appointments, or during home visits. Nursing care promoting hope and spiritual wellbeing should be part of patients' activities for daily living.
Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Caregivers ; Spirituality ; Family Relations ; Spouses ; Self Efficacy ; Catholicism ; Patients' ; Rooms ; House Calls ; Terminally Ill ; Hope ; Marriage ; Spiritual Therapies ; Social Support ; Neoplasms ; Pain ; Schools

OBJECTIVES: In recent decades, due to the high prevalence of divorce in numerous countries and the detrimental aftermath thereof, it has become increasingly important to study the components of marital stability. The current study explored fundamental protective factors in long-term marriage through a systematic review.METHODS: Searches for relevant publications were conducted in Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Magiran, and Scientific Information Database from their inception through January 30, 2019. Through the keyword search, 1,706 articles were found, of which 25 articles remained after screening based on the eligibility criteria.RESULTS: The extracted protective factors associated with marital stability in long-term marriage were classified as interpersonal and intrapersonal. Notable extracted factors included spirituality and religion, commitment, sexual relationship, communication, children, love and attachment, intimacy, and conflict resolution approach. These findings show that some aspects of relationships, such as commitment, act to preserve the pillars of marriage in critical situations, while other aspects, such as intimacy, help to construct marital identity and satisfaction.CONCLUSIONS: The identified components of marital stability are structures that enhance a couple's identity and sense of togetherness. Identifying the specific aspects of marital relationships that contribute to marital stability may help specialists and researchers to target specific types of marital interaction that may enhance the happiness and longevity of relationships, thereby preventing avoidable divorces.
Child ; Divorce ; Happiness ; Humans ; Longevity ; Love ; Marriage ; Mass Screening ; Negotiating ; Prevalence ; Protective Factors ; Specialization ; Spirituality

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the essence and meaning of the experience of cancer patients receiving spiritual nursing. METHODS: Data were collected by in-depth individual interviews with participants from April to June, 2019. Eight patients from a single Christian hospital participated in this study. Cyclical data collection and analysis were conducted by Collaizzi's phenomenological method. RESULTS: The experience of cancer patients receiving spiritual nursing consisted of four themes: strange spiritual nursing faced with longing, unexpected changes in me, spiritual sympathy leading to trust, and transition to spiritual recovery. CONCLUSION: This study provided an in-depth understanding of the changes cancer patients experience through spiritual nursing interventions. Efforts should be made to verify the effectiveness of this study by developing and applying education programs that can enhance the spiritual nursing capabilities of nurses to better approach cancer patients.
Data Collection ; Education ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Methods ; Nursing Care ; Nursing ; Qualitative Research ; Spirituality