Spirituality Among Caregivers

Abstract

The spiritual perspectives of 17 caregiver wives of dementia victims and 23 noncaregiving wives of healthy adults were compared in a pilot study using a convenience sample. Caregiver wives used symbols such as God, and spiritual behaviors such as prayer and forgiveness as coping mechanisms. Caregivers tended to share the problems and joys of living according to their spiritual belief more often than the noncaregiver wives of healthy adults. Caregivers also engaged in private prayer and sought spiritual guidance in making decisions in their everyday life more often. The findings suggest that nursing interventions with churches as a natural network for caregivers may be useful. Prayer, forgiveness, and spiritual reading materials are resources that may be helpful to some caregivers.

Spirituality Among Alzheimer's Caregivers: Psychometric Reevaluation of the Intrinsic Spirituality Scale

“…Other spiritual practices documented in caregiver spirituality literature include attendance at spiritual or religious services, seeking spiritual guidance, reading spiritual materials, utilizing faith-based support groups, and seeking religious counseling (Choi et al, 2008;Herbert et al, 2007;Kaye & Robinson, 1994;Spurlock, 2005). Stuckey (2001) documented the salience of spiritual beliefs in the lives of Alzheimer's caregivers, finding that spiritual beliefs and practices constituted critical forms of perceived support in managing life stressors, providing comfort and access to supportive community.…”

“…The predominance of caregivers in the spirituality literature is due in part to the frequency and consistency with which caregivers identify religion or spirituality as critical coping resources (e.g., Choi, Tirrito, & Mills, 2008;Herbert, Qianyu, & Schulz, 2007;Kaye & Robinson, 1994;Pargament, 1998;Shaw et al, 2002;Spurlock, 2005;Stolley et al, 1999;Stuckey, 2001;Wilks & Vonk, 2008).…”

“…A growing body of literature suggests that many caregivers manage this burden through the use of spiritual or religious beliefs and practices (e.g., Kaye & Robinson, 1994;Shaw, Snow, & Kunik, 2002;Stolley, Buckwalter, & Koenig, 1999;Stuckey, 2001). However, the terms religion and spirituality are frequently used interchangeably in studies assessing these concepts, although they are two distinct constructs (for review, see Hodge, 2001Hodge, , 2003.…”

Adaptasi Penjaga Utama dalam Penjagaan Pesakit Demensia

“…Pendekatan keagamaan merupakan saluran untuk meluahkan keperitan dan tekanan dalaman yang dialami dalam penjagaan dengan memohon kesabaran, kekuatan dan keampunan dari tuhan yang maha berkuasa supaya mereka menjadi lebih tabah dan gagah mengharungi cabaran dalam penjagaan pesakit demensia. Penjaga yang mempunyai pegangan agama yang kuat dapat bertindak dengan baik dalam penjagaan (Kaye & Robinson 1994;Lim et al 2011;Tschanz et al 2012). Kepercayaan agama sangat membantu penjaga untuk memahami penjagaan warga emas demensia yang sukar diramal dan boleh dijadikan sandaran atau harapan masa akan datang (Gwyther 1998;(Tschanz et al, 2013) Tschanz et al 2012 Peserta didalam kajian ini juga memilih untuk menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi dalam penjagaan.…”

Creating the space for spiritual talk: insights from survivors of haematological malignancies

“…To date, spirituality has been a somewhat neglected area of research in the modern western health care system which relies principally on the bio-psycho-social model of humanity (Chapman 1986;Forbes 1994;Kaye & Robinson 1994;McGrath 1997a;I997b;I999;2002d;Oldnall 1996;Ross 1994;Soeken & Carson 1986;Stepnick & Perry 1992;Stiles, 1990). The findings presented in this article are from a recently established research program that seeks to address this hiatus in research, and is funded by a major Australian cancer research organisation.…”