An integrative review of defining characteristic of the nursing diagnosis “spiritual distress”

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to identify the defining characteristics of spiritual distress (00066). Design This study was conducted by integrated review method using Broom method. Methods PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Cochran Library, and Persian scientific databases were searched from January 2010 to December 2020. Results Twenty‐one article and 74 defining characteristics were identified. 33 of these defining characteristics was mentioned in NANDA. The criteria with the highest frequency and repetition in articles were lack of peace, lack of hope, change in anger behaviour, lack of meaning in life, change in fear and crying behaviour, Concern about belief and values system and/or God. Conclusion Some of the spiritual distress defining characteristics overlap with other nursing diagnoses, including anxiety and hopelessness. Clinical and content validation studies need to be conducted and the main criteria for diagnosing spiritual distress in different cultures and religions need to be identified.

Connection Insights From Spirituality

“…. feeling disconnected, confused, and overwhelmed.” Spiritual distress is characterized as a lack of meaning, peace, or hope as well as concern about one’s beliefs or value system (North American Nurses Diag-nosis Association, 2024), and it is not uncommon for spiritual distress to overlap with mental health symptoms including anxiety or hopelessness (Eshghi et al, 2023).…”