Parental Use of Religion and Spirituality in Medical Decision-Making

Malcolm, Hailey V.; Desjardins, Cate Michelle; Ferrara, Brycen; Kitamura, Elizabeth; Mueller, Mark; Betz, John; Ragsdale, Judith R.; Grossoehme, Daniel H.

doi:10.1080/08854726.2019.1670566

Cited by 10 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…44,46,62,63,69,74,82,83,86,93 The studies also included a variety of religions. 38,40,41,45,49,58,[61][62][63]71,73,74,78,83,94,96,99 In addition some parents with no previous religious belief reported still finding solace in religion and prayer in times of difficulty. 46 Religion could also help reconcile parents to their inability to protect their child from the serious prognosis.…”

Section: Religionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…66 They need confidence that the care team, whether specialized in palliative care 39,44,80 or not, 50,85 takes responsibility for supporting them in what they consider important. 39,44,49,50,66,78,80,85 Parents, therefore, need adequate care that fits their child and family situation and they actively guide healthcare professionals to provide such care. 49,95 Being connected to others Being connected to others as a source of spirituality.…”

Section: Personal Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…83,88 Religious belief could also help parents give meaning to their experiences and made them feel supported when coping with the reality of their child’s illness. 41,44,46,61–63,69,74,76,78,82–86,88,89,93–96,99 Parents found meaning in their religion because they felt a sense of connection with God or the ultimate, 38,41,44,46,61–63,69,74,76,78,82,83,85,86,88,89,93,95,96,99 felt suppor-ted, 38,41,46,62,76,78,82,83,85,89,96,99 experienced guidance, 69,74,88 or hope. 44,46,6...…”

Section: The Spiritual Dimension Of Parents’ Experiences In Pediatric...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…46,62,93 The belief in an afterlife or being reunited after death brought comfort. 63,78,93,95 This was true even if the parents did not believe in an afterlife. 61 Some parents also believed that the illness of their child was a test of their faith.…”

Section: The Spiritual Dimension Of Parents’ Experiences In Pediatric...mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

The spiritual dimension of parenting a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition: A mixed-methods systematic review

et al. 2023

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Background: Spirituality refers to the dynamic dimension of human life that relates to the way that persons experience meaning, purpose, and transcendence. The complex task of parenting a child with a life-limiting condition may raise existential questions, which are easily overlooked by healthcare professionals. Aim: We explored how the spiritual dimension becomes manifest in parents of children in pediatric palliative care. Design: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted, registered in Prospero (2021 CRD42021285318). Data sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and Cochrane were searched for articles published between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2023. We included original empirical studies that reported on spirituality of parents of seriously ill children, from parents’ perspectives. Results: Sixty-three studies were included: 22 North-American, 19 Asian, 13 European, 9 other. Studies varied in defining spirituality. We identified five different aspects of spirituality: religion, hope, parental identity, personal development, and feeling connected with others. All aspects could function as source of spirituality or cause of spiritual concern. Sources of spirituality helped parents to give meaning to their experiences and made them feel supported. However, parents also reported struggling with spiritual concerns. Several parents highlighted their need for professional support. Conclusions: Although studies vary in defining spirituality, reports on spirituality focus on how parents connect to their faith, others, and themselves as parents. Healthcare professionals can support parents by paying attention to the spiritual process parents are going through. More research is needed into how healthcare professionals can support parents of seriously ill children in this process.

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Section: Religionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Personal Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Spiritual Dimension Of Parents’ Experiences In Pediatric...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Spiritual Dimension Of Parents’ Experiences In Pediatric...mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The spiritual dimension of parenting a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition: A mixed-methods systematic review

et al. 2023

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“…For example, recent data indicate that most Americans report that religion is very important to them 7 . It has been well documented that children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer as well as caregivers of hospitalized children in general use R/S as a means of coping and meaning making 3,8,9 . For these reasons, it is recommended to clearly include R/S screening and assessment throughout the treatment course.…”

Section: Standard 7bmentioning

confidence: 99%

A strategic approach to integration of spiritual care into the standards for the psychosocial care of children with cancer and their families

Hawkins

Powell

Spears

et al. 2022

Pediatric Blood & Cancer

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Barriers to the spiritual care of parents taking care of their child with a life-limiting condition at home

Brouwer,

Bas-Douw,

Leget

et al. 2023

Eur J Pediatr

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The changes that parents face when caring for a child with a life-limiting condition at home can affect them on a spiritual level. Yet, indications remain that parents do not feel supported when dealing with spiritual issues related to caring for a severely ill child. This paper explores, from the perspectives of bereaved parents, chaplains, grief counselors, and primary health care providers, the barriers to supporting the spiritual needs of parents. We conducted a qualitative focus group study from a constructivist point with chaplains/grief counselors, primary care professionals, and bereaved parents. All groups participated in two consecutive focus group sessions. Data were thematically analyzed. Six chaplains/grief counselors, 6 care professionals, and 5 parents participated. We identified six barriers: (1) There were difficulties in identifying and communicating spiritual care needs. (2) The action-oriented approach to health care hinders the identification of spiritual care needs. (3) There is an existing prejudice that spiritual care needs are by nature confrontational or difficult to address. (4) Spiritual support is not structurally embedded in palliative care. (5) There is a lack of knowledge and misconceptions about existing support. (6) Seeking out spiritual support is seen as too demanding.Conclusion: Parents of children with life-limiting conditions face existential challenges. However, care needs are often not identified, and existing support is not recognized as such. The main challenge is to provide care professionals and parents with the tools and terminology that suit existing care needs. What is Known:• Spiritual care needs are an important aspect of pediatric palliative care.• Parents of children with life-limiting conditions feel unsupported when dealing with spiritual questions. What is New:• Parents and professionals mention barriers that hinder spiritual support for parents.• There is a disconnect between existing support and the care needs that parents have.

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Parental Use of Religion and Spirituality in Medical Decision-Making

Cited by 10 publications

References 22 publications

The spiritual dimension of parenting a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition: A mixed-methods systematic review

The spiritual dimension of parenting a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition: A mixed-methods systematic review

A strategic approach to integration of spiritual care into the standards for the psychosocial care of children with cancer and their families

Barriers to the spiritual care of parents taking care of their child with a life-limiting condition at home

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