Synchronicity and dissonance: nursing, spirituality and contemporary discourse

Abstract

Spirituality is a particularly intangible concept to defi ne. Exploration and explanation of what is meant by spirituality result in varied discourses that can confuse by their differing use of similar terminology. As a result, despite the altruistic intent to provide clarity, understanding is further clouded. Therefore when complementary and alternative medicine are described as 'holistic spirituality' and a means of articulating 'nursing spirituality' (Heelas, 2006) this may erroneously be confused with 'spirituality as a perspective of holistic nursing care' (Greenstreet, 2006). This paper considers similarities and difference between these two discourses. A comparison of descriptions of the concept of spirituality within each discourse is followed by consideration of issues related to nurses' spirituality. Acknowledgement and interpretation of political and social drivers of nursing spirituality together with commonalities and difference in relation to spiritual care culminate in the conclusion that spirituality, as a perspective of holistic nursing care, is a wider, more comprehensive concept within which complementary and alternative medicine, or 'holistic spirituality', may provide an example of spiritual care.

Spirituality and coping in young adults with diabetes: a cross-sectional study

“…The conceptual framework used for the study concerned spirituality as a process of finding meaning in suffering and being able to transcend the suffering through connections with the inner self, other people and the universe, which ultimately helps people cope with the situation, in this case diabetes, and achieve a sense of inner peace and wellbeing. Importantly, spirituality may or may not encompass religion 7–9…”