The Influence of Awareness of Terminal Condition on Spiritual Well-Being in Terminal Cancer Patients
Journal
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
Journal Volume
31
Journal Issue
5
Pages
449-456
Date Issued
2006
Author(s)
Abstract
We developed a Spirituality Transcendence Measure (STM) and studied whether awareness of terminal illness affects spiritual well-being in terminal cancer patients. Three sources of spiritual transcendence-the situational, the moral and biographical, and the religious aspect-were assessed in the STM. Cronbach's α of the STM was 0.95, and the principle axis factor analysis extracted only one factor. Thirty-seven terminal cancer patients with male predominance (59.5%) were studied. Awareness of terminal illness was associated with a higher total STM score (Z = -2.21, P = 0.027), along with the individual scores for each of the three transcendences (Z = -2.39, P = 0.017; Z = -2.71, P = 0.007; and Z = -1.96, P = 0.050). Acceptance of death was associated with a higher situational score (Z = 2.01, P = 0.046) and a higher religious score (Z = -2.27, P = 0.023). Announcement of testament was associated with a higher situational score (Z = -2.30, P = 0.021). We conclude that awareness of terminal illness is associated with spiritual well-being. Telling the complete truth is necessary even when dealing with terminal conditions. ? 2006 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee.
Subjects
life quality; spirituality; terminal care; Truth disclosure
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; aged; article; awareness; cancer; cancer mortality; clinical article; Cronbach alpha coefficient; demography; expectation; factorial analysis; female; human; jurisprudence; male; medical assessment; psychometry; questionnaire; religion; scoring system; wellbeing; Adult; Aged; Attitude to Death; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Psychometrics; Quality of Life; Spirituality; Terminal Care; Truth Disclosure
Type
journal article
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