Between spiritual wellbeing and spiritual distress: possible related factors in elderly patients with cancer

OBJECTIVE: this article describes the assessment of the spiritual wellbeing of elderly patients with cancer submitted to chemotherapy and possible predictive factors of the spiritual distress diagnosis. METHODOLOGY: this is a methodological study for clinical validation of a nursing diagnosis, using...

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Main Authors: Sílvia Caldeira (Author), Emilia Campos de Carvalho (Author), Margarida Vieira (Author)
Format: Book
Published: Universidade de São Paulo, 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z.
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Summary:OBJECTIVE: this article describes the assessment of the spiritual wellbeing of elderly patients with cancer submitted to chemotherapy and possible predictive factors of the spiritual distress diagnosis. METHODOLOGY: this is a methodological study for clinical validation of a nursing diagnosis, using interviews to assist in completing the form. RESULTS: 45 elderly patients participated in this study, Catholics, mostly female, diagnosed with breast cancer, average age of 70.3 years. The prevalence of spiritual distress was of 42%; 24.4% of the elderly patients were under anti-depressant medication. A significant association was noted between spiritual distress, anti-depressant medication and level of education; an increase (not significant) was acknowledged at the start of the treatment. CONCLUSION: these results emphasize the relevance of clarifying this diagnosis and the responsibility of nurses to provide spiritual care to patients. Interventions should be planned appropriately every time a nursing diagnosis is identified as a complex answer and for which pharmacological treatment is not sufficient.
Item Description:1518-8345
10.1590/0104-1169.3073.2382