Is There a Connection Between Spiritual Transcendence and Quality of Life? A Cross-Sectional Survey Study in Patients Under the End-of-Life Care

Abstract

Background: There is limited data available on the spiritual dimension of palliative care in Eastern Europe. In countries such as Poland, investigating spirituality and its essential aspects is further complicated because in a predominantly Catholic country, spirituality is mistakenly thought to be identical to religiousness. Aim: This study investigated the connection between spiritual transcendence, meaning in life, altruism, and the quality of life of cancer patients in end-of-life care in an Eastern Europe Country (Poland). Design: This cross-sectional study was based on 4 surveys. The Quality of Life Questionnaire MQOL-R, the Scale of Spiritual Transcendence, the Purpose in Life Questionnaire PIL-6, and the Altruism Scale were used. Setting/Participants: Data from 41 oncology patients receiving end-of-life care at home and in a stationary hospice was obtained. Results: Results indicate that there is a significant positive correlation between transcendence, spiritual growth, and global quality of life. There is also a positive correlation between altruism and the meaning of life, as well as between the meaning of life, spirituality and quality of life, while altruism is positively associated exclusively with spirituality. Conclusion: This study revealed that spiritual transcendence can be understood, according to Piedmont's theory, as a personality trait that allows the patients to cross the boundaries of their existence and identify subjectively important values in their life. It can be examined and developed not only in the context of the need but also as a predisposition and a resource of personhood.

The relationship between meaning of life, perceived social support, spiritual well-being and pain catastrophizing with quality of life in migraine patients: the mediating role of pain self-efficacy

“…Also, spiritual well-being is indirectly significantly related to quality of life through mediation of pain self-efficacy (B = 0.021). Consistent with the results of the present study, the findings of Wysocka et al [ 53 ]; Lee [ 54 ]; Pilger et al [ 28 ]; and Bai and Lazenby [ 55 ], they have shown that there is a significant positive correlation between spiritual well-being and quality of life. In explaining the relationship between spiritual well-being and quality of life, it can be stated that spirituality by creating hope and a sense of meaning in life, can help them cope better in difficult situations and improve their quality of life [ 29 ].…”

“…Findings of DeMaria et al [ 49 ] in patients with multiple chronic diseases; Costa et al [ 25 ], and Kever et al [ 21 ] in patients with multiple sclerosis; Ren et al [ 50 ] in patients with chronic wounds; Qi et al [ 51 ] in patients with type 2 diabetes; Aydın, and Demir [ 22 ], and Dun et al [ 52 ] in cancer patients; indicate that there is a positive and significant correlation between social support and quality of life. Wysocka et al [ 53 ] have shown that there is relationship between meaning of life, spirituality and quality of life in patients under the end-of-life care. According to researches of; Lee [ 54 ] in patients with lung cancer; Pilger et al [ 28 ] in adults with hemodialysis; higher levels of spiritual well-being is associated with increasing the QOL scores in the physical, psychological, social relationships, and environmental aspects.…”