Spiritual Well-Being and Associated Factors in End-Stage Renal Disease

Abstract

People with CKD depend on religion and spirituality to deal with their chronic illness, and those are essential means of coping for those living with chronic diseases. The present study aims to evaluate ESRD patients’ spiritual wellbeing undergoing hemodialysis treatment and to identify critical variables associated with the spiritual wellbeing of those patients. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which 367 patients undergoing HD participated. Patients were randomly selected from six HD units in various geographical areas of Greece. Data were collected through an anonymous self-completed questionnaire consisting of two parts. The first part contained questions regarding demographic, social, and clinical information such as age, gender, marital status, and duration of dialysis comorbidities. The second part assessed the patients’ spiritual wellbeing with the use of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale-12. Multivariate analysis was performed to extract predictors or determinants of spiritual wellbeing of hemodialysis patients. Results. From the total of the 367 participants, 228 (62.1%) were males and 139 (37.9%) were females, and the mean age was 61.80 ± 15.11. Spiritual wellbeing had a mean value of 30.55 (SD = 8.22), which means that patients had a satisfactory spiritual wellbeing level. Multivariate analysis revealed that place of residence, marital status, educational level, and comorbidities could predict spiritual wellbeing in ESRD patients. Conclusions. There is much evidence in the literature supporting the positive effect of spirituality, health (physical and mental), and quality of life. Integration of spiritual wellbeing evaluation and spiritual care in everyday practice as a part of clinical care can increase the quality of the provided care and improve health outcome for patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Hemodi̇yali̇z Hastalarinda Depresyon Ve Manevi̇ İyi̇ Oluş: Kesi̇tsel Bi̇r Çalişma

“…It has been reported in the literature that spirituality contributes to patients' coping with serious illnesses and prevents feelings of spiritual distress, hopelessness and depression . [11,[31][32][33][34] This study revealed that there is a negative and significant relationship between mental well-being and depression levels. It was found that patients with high mental well-being showed lower depressive symptoms; our results are in agreement with the sources.…”

“…[22] Spiritual and religious practices are closely related to the increase in life satisfaction and social support levels of patients. [11] These results may explain the high depressive symptoms of the patients.…”

“…Although hope has no healing power, it encourages the patient to continue the fight and seek clinical improvement. [11] Religious beliefs as a strategy and a way of life can contribute to the development of hope and thus to the prevention of depression. Drawing attention to the importance of searching for meaning in human life, Frankl (2017) stated that the religion believed is important in adding meaning to one's life and discovering the purpose of life.…”

“…Spirituality encompasses a kind of connection between man and a divine or higher inner power. [11] Spirituality serves as a potential resource in the process of maintaining mental health and deciding on treatment and is seen as a coping mechanism in patients' struggle with stressful life events. [12][13][14] Faith and religious practices are frequently used by individuals with chronic diseases to cope with the disease and provide emotional comfort.…”

Is There Such a Thing as Theological Medicine?

“…A 2004 review underlined the importance of spirituality in the care of critically ill patients (Puchalski 2004). Among patients with end-stage renal failure on hemodialysis, the involvement of spiritual care demonstrated a positive effect in dealing with the long-term effects of the chronic disease burden with regard to the experienced quality of life and outcomes (Fradelos 2021).…”