Infusing Spirituality Into Geriatric Health Care: Practical Applications From the Literature

Religious and Spiritual Beliefs and Practices of Persons With Chronic Pain

Ninety-five persons receiving treatment for chronic pain were surveyed using the Spirituality and Chronic Pain Survey (SCPS). The survey included a pain assessment, a spiritual/religious practices assessment, and questions related to spiritual/religious beliefs and attitudes. Most participants reported experiencing constant, higher-level pain. The most frequent responses to pain were taking medication (89%) and praying (61%). Results indicated the majority of respondents perceived God or a Spiritual Power as helping them cope with pain and as a source of happiness, connection, and meaning in life. A factor analysis on attitude items of the SCPS identified 4 factors that accounted for 60% of the variance: (a) Spiritual Connection and Meaning, (b) Spiritual Increase and Hopefulness, (c) Spiritual Decrease and Punishment, and (d) Spiritual Power. Results suggest the relevance and utility of spirituality assessment for persons who live with chronic pain. Implications for practice, education, and future research are discussed.

Occupational Therapy Students' Perceptions of Spirituality in Training

Spirituality is recognized as an essential and integral component of a holistic approach in occupational therapy practice. However, little is known about occupational therapy students' perceptions regarding spirituality in learning context. This study used qualitative exploratory, descriptive design to explore the occupational therapy students' perceptions about spirituality in training. Using purposive sampling, four semi-structured interviews were conducted with two students, a lecturer and an occupational therapist. In addition, two focus groups were conducted with students in order to collect data. Data collected were audio-taped; transcribed and thematic analysis was used to identify themes. The analysis resulted in emergence of four themes: "Unique to every individual," "Spirituality in occupational therapy," "To be or not to be taught," and "The Real world." Participants perceived spirituality as an individually experienced. The study contributes to the body of knowledge base of occupational therapy education regarding spirituality. However, there is a need for guidelines to integrate spirituality in occupational therapy training.

Religiosity and Spirituality Among Persons With Spinal Cord Injury: Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices

A total of 157 persons with spinal cord injury completed the Spirituality and Spinal Cord Injury Survey in relation to their spiritual and/or religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices in terms of adapting to their disability. Factor analysis accounting for 69% of the variance revealed four factors related to Spiritual Help and Improvement (36%), Spiritual Decline (22%), Punishment/Atonement (6%), and Body/Mind Improvements (5%). Participants were further classified by time since injury, which statistically indicated that some individuals tend to become more focused on religious or spiritual practices and beliefs regarding cure soon after injury; however, these behaviors and beliefs tend to dissipate over time. The majority of participants expressed overall satisfaction with God or a Spiritual Power (G/SP) and that G/SP helped them cope, gave them meaning, and was a source of happiness in their lives. Implications for rehabilitation counselors and educators are discussed.

Spiritual practice: a literature review related to spiritual health and health outcomes

Spirituality and the expression of spirituality have received renewed interest in both nursing and nonnursing literature over the last 20 years. Scholars in spirituality studies have contributed to the wealth of both qualitative and quantitative data that exist. Spiritual practices that facilitate spiritual health are embedded within many nursing interventions. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of empirical and associated nursing literature on spiritual practices. Definitions of spirituality and spiritual health are included, and theoretical underpinnings of the empirical literature are discussed. Relation of spiritual practice as a health behavior is presented with implications for future research identified.