Concept Analysis of Spirituality in Cancer Patients: focusing on Christianity, Buddhism, Atheism and Agnosticism

Lee, Mee La

Abstract

PURPOSE
All nurses should provide spiritual care for their clients. It is especially important to care spiritually for cancer patients facing the crisis of life. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the concept of spirituality which is one of the basic concepts for spiritual care in cancer patients. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 8 cancer patients; 2 Christians,3 Buddhists, and 3 persons who did not have any religion. The data was collected and analyzed by Hybrid Model. RESULT: The results of this study were as follows: Dimensions of spirituality(vertical dimension connected with the absolute being, horizontal dimension related to others, existential dimension related to seeking of meaning), attributes of spirituality(dynamic process strengthened in suffering due to struggle with cancer, connectedness with the absolute being or will and belief in oneself, transcendence of reality, meaning and purpose of life, future oriented), outcomes of spirituality(intrinsic, behavioral). CONCLUSION: The spirituality of cancer patients is manifested differently by his(her) religion, age, past experiences and burden of family, and is able to be strengthened with cancer. Therefore, nurses should recognize that diagnosis and deterioration of cancer is not only a spiritual crisis but can be a good chance for spiritual growth, as well.