Influence of Spirituality on Cool Down Reactions, Work Engagement, and Life Satisfaction in Anthroposophic Health Care Professionals

Abstract

This study aimed to analyse whether spirituality is a resource for health care professionals to deal with increasing stress and work burden, specifically to analyse associations between “cool down reactions” (which describe an emotional distancing towards patients and/or reduced engagement as a strategy to protect their own functionality), work burden, and life satisfaction. We specifically focussed on anthroposophic health care professionals because of their unique approach to distinct aspects of spirituality. In a cross-sectional survey using standardized questionnaires, 489 persons were enrolled (66% women, mean age 53 ± 10 years, 41% physicians, 12% nurses, and 47% other health care professionals). They scored very high on all measures of spirituality and moderate to low with respect to “cool down reactions.” Significant predictors of “cool down reactions” were low work vigor, perceived work burden, alcohol consumption, low life satisfaction, and religious orientation (R 2 = 0.20). In contrast, their life satisfaction was explained best (R 2 = 0.35) by vigor, with further positive influences of being a physician, conscious interactions, and living with a partner on one hand and negative influences of “cool down reactions,” work burden, and transcendence convictions on the other hand. Thus, specific aspects of spirituality have only a small influence on anthroposophic health care professionals' “cool down reactions,” but might buffer against a loss of vigor and dedication in their work.

Spirituality and religiousness as predictors of life satisfaction among Peruvian citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Spirituality and religiousness increased life satisfaction. This agrees with similar studies that report a significant and moderate relationship between life satisfaction and spirituality (Büssing et al, 2015). In the case of life satisfaction and religiousness, our results show a significant moderate relationship which is in line with similar…”

“…On the other hand, studies in younger populations such as industrial employees in Indonesia, found that Islamic religiosity has a significantly positive impact on job satisfaction in small and medium-sized companies in the embroidery industry (Amaliah et al, 2015). Similarly, in a study carried out with infertile women from Iran (Etemadifar et al, 2016), in a population of athletes from the national team of the same country (Mirzaaghazadeh et al, 2016), and in professionals from the anthroposophic health field in Switzerland (Büssing et al, 2015), the same effect was demonstrated.…”

As contribuições da medicina antroposófica ao processo de empoderamento e co-criação da saúde da mulher: revisão integrativa

“…Na categoria 5 -Sistemas de saúde, os estudos pontuam os impactos das PICS na vida dos profissionais de saúde e, consequentemente, na assistência prestada às mulheres. Os profissionais de saúde com atuação antroposófica, quando comparados aos que atuam na medicina convencional, aparentam ter estratégias de regulação emocional que colaboram diante das condições estressoras de trabalho, que são associadas a Síndrome de Burnout, e aumentando a sua qualidade de vida (Büssing et al, 2015).…”

Individualized Integrative Cancer Care in Anthroposophic Medicine

“…The approach is individualized and encompasses spiritual aspects. 10,12 ICC, particularly in AM, is a patient-centered approach. 8,13 Patient-centered care is a widely recognized central goal in health care and evidence-based medicine (EBM), 13,14 integrating clinical expertise and patient values along with best external evidence.…”