Love in Connectedness

Abstract

Spirituality is important when caring for the whole human being. Earlier research found Love in connectedness to be a core category in spirituality. The study aim is to deepen our understanding of Love in connectedness, and contribute to the theoretical knowledge development of the concept of spirituality from a caring science perspective. The method was a review of 20 research articles concerning connectedness and love, which were interpreted through a Gadamerian-based hermeneutical approach. Emerging themes were three forms of connectedness, compassion, and the risk of losing love in caring for the patient. In addition, we reflected on love and ethics, based on the writings of Tillich. According to Tillich, love is a drive toward unity of the separated. This drive can be seen in both connectedness with others, in connectedness with something larger than oneself, and may indirectly apply to connectedness with oneself. We find that both connectedness and love are key concepts in caring for the patient.

What Is the Essence of Spiritual Care? A Danish Hospice Perspective

“…In the beginning, my intention was to study what it means to patients who are seriously ill when the spiritual dimension is integrated into a holistic practice. Spiritual care is well described in nursing literature, but there are multiple definitions (i.e., McSherry & Jamieson, 2011;Noble & Jones, 2010;Rykkje, Eriksson, & Raholm, 2013). Spiritual care often is described as caring activities related to patients' spiritual needs (Cook, Breckon, Jay, Renwick, & Walker, 2012;Milligan, 2011 as a social event and in the aesthetic indulgence of a well-set table or the arrangement of food in small, appetizing portions.…”

“…Discussing spiritual care can be difficult if we do not incorporate religious matters. In studying spiritual care, researchers tend to integrate specific questions about people's religious affiliations (i.e., Dobratz, 2013;McSherry & Jamieson, 2011;Rykkje et al, 2013), even if the research points at existential life meaning aspects. This enhances the idea that spiritual care is about religious matters.…”

Views on Spirituality in Old Age: What Does Love Have to Do with It?

“…Sub-study III (Rykkje et al 2015) searched for a deeper understanding of love and connectedness, through a theoretical literature review. This investigation found that connectedness is a concept of great significance inherent in human spirituality and which serves as a unifying force.…”

Love in Nursing: A Concept Analysis

“…Although the separation and independence of human attributes are the basis for the creation of love, people have to communicate with each other to have a better life. 5 The nursing profession is the based on caring. Care is the combination of love and respect for others.…”

“…They have postulated that the flame of love in nursing is dimed and that some of nurses do not care for their clients with love. 5 Some have also reported that modern nursing has deviated from love because of the large workload, lack of time, low numbers of nurses, financial problems and short-term employment. Naturally, caring without love is a defective care, and this is a challenge for the nursing profession today.…”