Spirituality—the emergence of a working definition for use within healthcare practice

Abstract

^Southern Health and Social Care TrustCorrespondence to: c.mayersl@yorksj.ac.ukConsiderations of a person's spirituality and/or spiritual needs are necessary in order to provide holistic and person-centred intervention within healthcare. However, the term "spirituality" is difficult to define clearly, so healthcare professionals are often unsure as to what exactly spiritual needs are, and also what their role is in addressing these. An in-depth literature review was therefore carried out in order to evaluate the various definitions:firstly, to evaluate how health professionals define spirituality, and, secondly, to explore the relationship between spirituality and health. The review revealed that spirituality is a highly subjective concept, with personal meanings and unique realities for individuals. Some people believe it involves recognition of a deity or a personal relationship with God, while others argue it can be defined simply as an expression of our truest selves or inner beings. Many prefer to use religious language in describing spiritual needs, thus supporting the inclusion of reference to the sacred or supernatural in any proposed definition of spirituality. Exploration of the concept of spirituality also uncovered its relationship to disability, illness, recovery, and health/well being. A working definition has emerged from analysis of the literature which is proving to be of use to healthcare professionals within their practice.

Perceptions of Physiotherapists in Relation to Spiritual Care

“…This agrees with research conducted with patients and carers who identified faith and beliefs as key components of spirituality (Ross 2006). The definitions chosen for the questionnaire in the study here took into account a consensus from the literature (including Koenig 2007;Mayers and Johnston 2008;Ozbasaran et al 2011;Ross 2006;Young and Koopsen 2011) over the components of spirituality.…”

“…1;Koenig et al 2012, Ch. 2;Mayers and Johnston 2008;Miller and Thoresen 2003;Ross 2006;Swinton 2012). Other studies have also included a definition for the same reason (Collins et al 2001;Farrar 2001;Rose 1999) or have recommended the use of definitions (Engquist et al 1997;Johnston and Mayers 2005).…”

Can Cognitive Science Rescue ‘Spiritual Care’ from a Metaphysical Backwater?

“…What is left is, as Mayers and Johnston (2008) say, a 'highly subjective concept'. They conclude: 'The lack of consensual definition has not only created confusion for healthcare practitioners, but it has also caused widespread debates regarding the nature of spirituality and its relationship to religion, disability and occupational performance' (Mayers and Johnston 2008: 272).…”

The creativity-spirituality construct and its role in transformative coping

“…Having a spiritual attitude helps to gain a different perspective on a situation, to transcend adverse circumstances, to (re-)connect with self, others, nature, and -for many -God or a Higher Power (Coyle, 2001;Mayers & Johnston, 2008). Connectedness and belonging are core aspects of the spiritual outlook (Emmett, 2008;Iwasaki, Bartlett, Gottlieb, & Hall, 2009;Shih et al, 2009).…”

“…Spiritual coping being a multidimensional construct, it was necessary to include a range of questions in order to access the various dimensions, e.g. transcendence, belonging, connectedness/unity, relationship with self, others, the world and a higher being, meaning and purpose, hope, and self-awareness (Coyle, 2001;Danesh, 1997;Mayers & Johnston, 2008;Pargament, 1999;Tanyi, 2002).…”