Spirituality in patients with advanced illness: The role of symptom control, resilience and social network

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed the relationships among clinical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of patients with advanced illness. It was a cross-sectional study, with a sample of 108 patients in an advanced illness situation attended by palliative care teams. Statistically significant correlations were found between some dimensions of spirituality and poor symptomatic control, resiliency, and social support. In the structural model, three variables predicted spirituality: having physical symptoms as the main source of discomfort, resiliency, and social support. This work highlights the relevance of the relationships among spirituality and other aspects of the patient at the end of life.

Spirituality, Social Support, Pride, and Contentment as Differential Predictors of Resilience and Life Satisfaction in Emerging Adulthood

“…Transcendent emotions from religion have been found to promote life satisfaction in middle-aged adults (Van Cappellen et al, 2016), but spiritual transcendence may be associated with distress in university students (Burris, Brechting, Salsman, & Carlson, 2009). Other research has found the size of one's social support network to correlate positively with interpersonal, negatively with transpersonal, and not at all with intrapersonal spirituality (Fombuena et al, 2016). Further research is needed to determine the role that spirituality may play and how each dimension functions in emerging adulthood.…”

“…Many studies have demonstrated the important positive roles that spirituality can play for psychological well-being (Anum & Dasti, 2016;Foskett, Marriott, & Wilson, 2004;Porter, Brennan-Ing, Burr, Dugan, & Karpiak, 2017), life satisfaction (Koenig, 2007), and resilience (Fombuena et al, 2016;Smith & Carlson, 1997). Spirituality or religion may benefit the individual through many mechanisms (Oman & Thoresen, 2005).…”

“…Many studies on resilience are based on children and adolescents (Masten, 1999;Masten & Reed, 2002) or on the elderly as they face major life challenges with aging and loss (Fombuena et al, 2016), and much research on trauma is based on populations seeking treatment (Bonanno, 2004). More research is needed to understand well-being and resilient adaptation in all stages of adulthood.…”

“…Other studies report benefits that go beyond social support, such as a sense of existential certainty (Miller & Kelley, 2005) or attributions of purpose and meaning to negative life events (Seybold & Hill, 2001). Religiosity and spirituality may also benefit people through an impact on positive emotions (Van Cappellen, Toth-Gauthier, Saroglou, & Fredrickson, 2016 (Delaney, 2005;Fombuena et al, 2016). Intrapersonal spirituality emphasizes a personal search for purpose and meaning, interpersonal spirituality involves connections with others, and transpersonal spirituality focuses on relating to a higher power.…”

“…Spirituality involves finding meaning and purpose in relation to what is considered significant or sacred (Büssing et al, 2014;Piedmont, 1999); a personal belief system that helps a person "make sense" out of life (Fombuena et al, 2016;Selby, Seccaraccia, Huth, Kurrpa, & Fitch, 2016). Spirituality and religiosity are multi-dimensional, overlapping constructs (Koenig, 2012;Saroglou, 2014) and are often interwoven in research.…”