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Background & Aim: Spiritual well-being harmonizes several dimensions of human's life and is essential for coping with diseases. Chronic illnesses such as cancer cause crisis in physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of ones life. This study aimed to measure the spiritual well-being in cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study, Paloutzian & Ellison's Spiritual Well-being Self-report questionnaire was completed by 360 cancer patients. Patients were recruited using sequential sampling method. The inclusion criteria were being more than 20 years old, and being able to read and write. Data were analyzed using chi-square and Pearson tests in SPSS (version 11).

Results: The study findings revealed that the mean scores for spiritual well-being, religious well-being, and existential well-being were (98.35±14.36), (54.67±5.92), (43.67±10.01), respectively. Also, statistically significant relations were found between age, marital status, and educational levels with spiritual well-being (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Findings showed that the level of spiritual well-being was high in cancer patients. Moreover, as it is expected in Iranian culture, the level of religious well-being was more than existential well-being. There were significant relationships between spiritual well-being and personal characteristics. Hence, nurses should consider personal characteristics in their caring programs and choose a comprehensive and holistic approach toward their patients' care.

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Background & Aim: HIV/AIDS is a well-recognized global problem in the world, including Iran. It is necessary to comprehend and understand lived experience of HIV positive patients. The present study was designed and conducted to better understand the perspectives and experiences of HIV positive patients about the role of the spirituality and religious beliefs in their lives with HIV/AIDS.

Methods & Materials: This qualitative study was conducted using an interpretative phenomenological approach. In-depth, audio-taped and semi-structured interviews with 19 participants were conducted to collect data. Data were transcript. Observations were also recorded in comprehensive field notes. A hermeneutic approach was used to analyze the data, according to the method developed by Diekelmann.

Results: According to the findings, participants aged between 21 and 56 years of old at the time of contamination to the HIV. Almost half (47.4%) of the participants had CD4 counts under 200 cells/mm3. Analyzes of the data revealed three main themes: (a) Redefining religious values and communicating with God (b) Compensation and (c) Individual development. The themes included some sub-themes.

Conclusion: Experiencing difficult conditions in HIV positive individuals provide them with an opportunity to return to religious values, redefine themselves and give meaning to their lives, rather than fear or disappointment. Communicating with other HIV positive patients and religious experts are suggested as additional appropriate strategies.

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Background & Aim: Spiritual well-being, religion, and hope are important factors in coping with cancer among patients. Nurses need to understand these concepts within a cultural context. This study aimed to determine the relationship between spiritual well-being, religion, and hope in patients with cancer.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 164 patients with cancer were selected using sequential convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a four-part questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation and multivariate regression analysis were used to analyses the data.

Results: There were significant correlations between the existential well-being, religious well-being, and the hope. There were also significant correlations between the intrinsic religious, religious practices, and the hope. Existential well-being, organizational religiousness and intrinsic religious beliefs predicted hope.

Conclusion: The results of this study emphasized on the importance of the spiritual well-being and religion as variables affecting on hope in patients with cancer. This would help nurses and clinical specialists to focus on religion and spirituality well-being in order to increase hope in the patients.

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  Background & Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the spiritual health among nursing and midwifery students at Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2012 .

  Methods & Materials: This was a cross-sectional study in which all 222 nursing and midwifery students studying at Kerman University of Medical Sciences were recruited to study. Data were gathered using t he Palutzian & Ellison questionnaire of spiritual well-being. The obtained data were then analyzed in the SPSS-20 using parametric statistical tests such as independent t-test and Anova . 

  Results: Results showed that spiritual well-being of nursing and midwifery students was in the good range. Except gender, no statistically significant relationships were observed between the mean of spiritual well-being and parameters such as age, marital status, academic year, and field of study .

  Conclusion: According to the findings , spiritual health among nursing and midwifery students was moderate. It is necessary to promote spirituality among nursing and midwifery students .

  

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  Background & Aim: One of the key factors affecting the physical and mental health of fetus is peace. According to Quran, this factor is a fundamental Principle in different fields of Islamic Ethics and law and it also affects all orders and Prohibitions. That’s because of conditions that are ordained during Pregnancy Period and of course it affects the benefits and losses of the Person in next Periods of growth. This study assessed the fundamental role of peace during pregnancy and fetal life from the perspective of the holy Quran and its priority to other functions of marriage .

  Methods & Materials: This study is a retrospective review which was performed by searching library sources and 15 relevant sources were found. The concept of peace in holy Quran can be followed by keywords such as, Assurance / Etminan (Raad/28), tranquility/ Sakineh ( Fath/24), inhabitancy / Sakana (Tobeh/103), Security / Amniyat (Thein/3), Permanency / Sobat( Forghan/47). In addition, Keywords such as, Health, Pregnancy, and Sprit were studied too . 

  Results: Meanwhile, the topic of marriage and finding a family (including matrimony, spousal time, pregnancy and reproduction) is a composition of religious orders and prohibitions. According to some studies based on the Quran's verses and his successor’s anecdote considerable results such as reproduction, correct sexual satisfactory, moral and psychological peace was achieved. Relaxation in pregnancy phase is very important and vital process for the embryonic formation particularly in view of his/her future corporeal and spiritual life. Such standpoint is firmly emphasized by Islamic orders due to healthy generation among the human being .

  Conclusion: Aquiring spiritual relaxation and developing it according to psychological guidelines and strategies of the holy Quran is necessary to achieve a peaceful and satisfactory condition during pregnancy and birth of a healthy and righteous child .

  

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  Background & Aim: Demographic transition and aging are global conditions result in increased risk of disability and chronic diseases such as diabetes. Considering stress as having mutual interaction with different aspects of health is vital in treatment of common disorders among older adults with diabetes. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the perceived stress with spiritual health among older adults with diabetes registered to the Association of Diabetes Prevention and Control in Babol .

  Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional (descriptive- analytical) study, 194 older adults aged 60-75 years old were selected using convenience sampling from the Association of Diabetes Prevention and Control in Babol. Data were collected using the demographic form as well as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Spiritual Well-being Questionnaire (SWB). The validity and reliability of the scales were confirmed previously. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics including ANOVA, Chi-Squared tests, t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient in the SPSS-21 . 

  Results: The study findings showed that perceived stress was low in a substantial percentage of the elderly (74.2%) with the mean ± SD of 22.52±8.06. Also, the levels of spiritual health were medium to high among most participants (97.72 ± 11.51). Interestingly, there was a significant negative relationship between the perceived stress and spiritual health (r=-0.48, P<0.001) .

  Conclusion: This study elaborated the relationship between the perceived stress with spiritual health of elderly patients with diabetes. Considering the results, enhancing spiritual health as one of the health dimensions seems necessary .

  

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Background & Aim: Spiritual care along with other nursing interventions balance body and soul. This study aimed to determine the effect of spiritual care on death anxiety in hemodialysis patients with end-stage of renal disease.
Methods & Materials: A clinical trial (IRCT2016308226961N1) was performed in Hamadan’s Shahid Beheshti and Besat hospitals in 2016. A total of 60 hemodialysis patients with end-stage of renal disease were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention (30 patients) and control (30 patients). In the intervention group, the spiritual care program consisted of protective care, supporting the patient’s rituals and using the support systems, was performed in hemodialysis ward at the patient’s bedside. The control group only received routine nursing care. The Templar’s death anxiety questionnaire was completed by both groups before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics using the SPSS software version 16.
Results: The average score for death anxiety before the intervention between the intervention group (8.10±2.26) and control group (8.53±2.47) had not significant difference (P=0.482), while the average score for death anxiety after the intervention had statistically significant difference (P=0.004) between the intervention group with median value of 8.0 (6.00-8.25) and control group with median value of 9.0 (7.00-10.25), and the patients’ death anxiety reduced in the intervention group.
Conclusion: Spiritual care program reduced death anxiety in hemodialysis patients with end-stage of renal disease. Nurses can use spiritual care program to reduce patients’ death anxiety.
 

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Background & Aim: Cancer as one of the most common illnesses in the world is associated with mental, physical, social and financial problems, which affects not only the patients, but also the family caregivers and creates a burden of care. Some studies have shown that spiritual well-being is effective in reducing the burden of care. Therefore, this research was conducted to determine the correlation between spiritual well-being and burden of care in family caregivers of cancer patients.
Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional correlational study, 150 family caregivers of cancer patients referred to Taleghani, Shohadaye Tajrish, Masih Daneshvari and Imam Hossein hospitals in Tehran were selected by the convenience sampling method from August to November 2017. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, independent t-test, analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of spiritual well-being score and burden of care were 90.36±17.70 and 25.54±11.79, respectively. There was a significant relationship between spiritual well-being (and its components including religious well-being and existential well-being) and burden of care (r=-0.421, P˂0.001). The result of regression test showed that spiritual well-being significantly predicted the burden of care.
Conclusion: The burden of care is experienced by family caregivers during caring for cancer patients, which is related to their spiritual well-being. Therefore, paying attention to the spiritual well-being of these caregivers is emphasized.
 

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Background & Aim: The experience of approaching death is one of the undeniable facts of aging that can cause fear and anxiety in the elderly. Given that spirituality as a solid base can be a powerful factor in controlling tense situations, this study was conducted to examine the effect of spiritual group therapy on death anxiety in the elderly.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 50 elderly people attending the elderly daily center in Aliabad Katoul (Golestan Province) in 2018. Sampling was done using the convenience method and participants were randomly assigned into either experimental- or control group. The experimental group received spiritual group therapy in 8 sessions within eight weeks. The data were collected using a demographic characteristics questionnaire and the Templer death anxiety scale. Using the SPSS software version 16, data were analyzed through independent t-test, paired t-test and covariance test at a significance level of less than 0.05.
Results: The rate of death anxiety before the intervention in the experimental- and control group were 7.36±3.67 and 7.32±1.65 respectively, which did not show a statistically significant difference (P=0.961). After the intervention, the average score of death anxiety for the experimental group was 5.24±3.28 and for the control group was 7.84±1.92 which showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results, it is recommended to provide the necessary conditions to the elderly to participate in spiritual activities, which can be effective in improving the psychological state of the elderly.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20181207041877N1
 

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Background & Aim: Frustration is one of the important psychological consequences for the elderly in the nursing home. Spiritual care is a unique aspect of nursing care that can be a strong response to the dealing with frustration. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of spiritual care education on hope in the elderly residents of nursing homes.
Methods & Materials: The present study was a before-and-after semi-experimental study, conducted in 2018 on 35 elderly residents of nursing homes in Hamadan, assigned into two groups of intervention (35 people) and control (35 people). At the beginning of the study, both groups completed the Schneider hope scale. For the intervention group, the intervention based on spiritual care was performed in three sessions. The post-test was performed for both groups after one month. Spearman correlation and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyze the data through the SPSS software version 16.
Results: There was no significant difference in overall hope score between the groups of intervention (22.94±9.80) and control (25.94±3.86) before the intervention (P=0.085); but after the intervention, there was a significant difference between the intervention (42.94±6.04) and control (23.80±4.09) groups (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Considering the positive effect of spiritual care on hope in the elderly in this research, planning for spiritual education is essential in this group of people.
 

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Background & Aim: Being diagnosed with cancer during adolescence can cause disabilities and disrupt the achievement of important tasks during this period. Given the complex spiritual issues that adolescents face, emphasizing them can provide a unique framework for understanding and coping with illness. The purpose of this study was to determine factors related to spiritual coping in adolescents with cancer based on the "Reed self-transcendence theory".
Methods & Materials: In this descriptive, correlational study, 270 adolescents with cancer referred to hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran in 2018-19 were selected using the convenience sampling method. Data was collected using the demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the “Adolescents Spiritual Coping Scale”, “Adolescents Hope Scale”, “Self-transcendence Scale: Adolescent version and “Adolescent Coping Scale”. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 19 through descriptive statistical methods, Kruskal–Wallis test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the Spearman's correlation test and Path analysis.
Results: Based on the Spearman correlation coefficient, the relationship of hope (r_s=0.440, P<0.001), coping (r_s=0.149, P=0.015) and self-transcendence (r_s=0.143, P=0.019) was positive and significant with the spiritual coping. Also, the results of path analysis of the Reed self-transcendence model showed that hope and self-transcendence had direct effects on spiritual coping and coping had an indirect effect on spiritual coping in adolescents through the intermediate variable of self-transcendence.
Conclusion: The variables hope, coping and self-transcendence are the factors related to spiritual coping in adolescents with cancer, and the model of self-transcendence in Iranian adolescents with cancer is appropriate. Therefore, nurses as the first providers of care can enhance spiritual coping in adolescents by focusing on this model and manipulating its various variables.
 

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Background & Aim: The health of newborns and infants as the future makers of the country is of special importance. Today, the main benefits of breastfeeding for children, mothers and society have widely been recognized. Given the importance of self-efficacy in initiating and continuing breastfeeding, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of breastfeeding counseling with a spiritual approach on breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparous women.
Methods & Materials: In this randomized controlled trial study, 60 primiparous women referring to the childbirth preparation classes at Alavi Hospital, Azadegan Comprehensive Health Service Centers, Sina and Dr. Hazrati in Ardabil in 2019 were selected through the convenience sampling method and assigned to intervention or control groups using quadruple block method. The control group received routine care and the intervention group received eight sessions of breastfeeding counseling with a spiritual approach. Data was collected using the Dennis Lactation Self-efficacy Questionnaire and analyzed through the SPSS software version 16 using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and independent t-test at 95% confidence level.
Results: The mean scores of breastfeeding self-efficacy for the intervention and control groups were 27.48±5.83 and 28.23±4.44 (P=0.575) before the intervention, 39.83±10.14 and 25.33±3.62 (P<0.001) immediately after the intervention, 42.45±13.00 and 23.43±6.23 (P<0.001) one month after the intervention. There was a significant difference between the two groups after the intervention.
Conclusion: Employing spiritual approach in breastfeeding counseling was effective in improving the breastfeeding self-efficacy of primiparous women. The integration of spiritual content into the package of postpartum services with a focus on breastfeeding appears to be an appropriate measure that can be considered by planners in this area.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20150731023423N14
 

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Background & Aim: Domestic violence has many negative consequences on the physical, mental and well-being of pregnant women. Today, spiritual health is recognized as one of the most important factors in protecting individuals against physical and mental problems. The aim of the study was to investigate spiritual health and its relationship with demographic characteristics of pregnant women with domestic violence in the south of Iran.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive study was conducted in 2020 on 305 pregnant mothers with domestic violence experience, referred to comprehensive health centers in Jiroft. Subjects were selected by the convenience sampling method, and data were collected using the Spiritual Health Scale and the short form of the Domestic Violence Screening Scale. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 24 and independent t-test, analysis of variance and linear regression.
Results: The mean (and standard deviation) score of spiritual health was 79.89(18.98). Spiritual health score has a statistically significant inverse relationship with the women’s age (P<0.001, r_s=-0.18), duration of marriage (P<0.001 and r_s=-0.32), number of children (P<0.001, r_s=-0.26) and domestic violence (P<0.001, r_s=-0.65). The results of regression analysis showed that the duration of marriage, spouse occupation, and domestic violence were the predictors of participants’ spiritual health score (R²=0.45).
Conclusion: The findings of the study can help medical staff and social workers who are in contact with pregnant women experiencing domestic violence to identify and devise strategies to promote spirituality as a way leading these women towards health.

 

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Background & Aim: Parents of children with autism face numerous challenges that hinder their social adjustment. Spiritual health emerges as a relevant components that can potentially enhance their social adjustment. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between spiritual health and social adjustment among parents of children with autism.
Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive correlational study that investigates a sample of 194 parents of children with autism at Hekmat Autism Center in Borujerd and Yekta Autism Center in Khorramabad, during the period of March 2021 to April 2021. To collect data, a demographic information questionnaire, the Paloutzian and Ellison spiritual health questionnaire, and the personal resource questionnaire were employed. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS software version 26, utilizing the Chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson's correlation coefficient.
Results: There was a statistically significant relationship between the scores of spiritual health (82.03±17.68) and social adjustment (78.52±15.59) among the parents (r=0.572, P=0.0001). The parents with low spiritual health had a mean social adjustment score of 65±0, while those with moderate spiritual health had a mean score of 76.63±15.76, and parents with high spiritual health had a mean score of 89.19±9.45. These results indicate that there was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of social adjustment across different levels of spiritual health (P<0.001).
Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between spiritual health and social adjustment among parents of children with autism, suggesting that higher levels of spiritual health were associated with increased social adjustment. To enhance the social adjustment of these parents, it is advisable to implement appropriate planning aimed at improving their spiritual health.

 

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Background & Aim: Family caregivers of COVID-19 patients in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) face numerous challenges that can affect their well-being. Spiritual health represents a crucial component for coping with such stressful conditions. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between spiritual health and attitude towards death in family caregivers of COVID-19 patients post-discharge from the ICUs.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive-correlational study conducted between April and November 2021, focused on family caregivers of COVID-19 patients discharged from the ICUs. The sample comprised 260 family caregivers selected through convenience and purposive sampling methods. Data collection tools included a demographic and clinical questionnaire, Polotzin and Ellison's Spiritual Health Questionnaire, and Wong's Death Attitude Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 encompassed chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance and Spearman correlation coefficient.
Results: The results showed a significant inverse relationship between total spiritual health score and the total score of attitude towards death (rs=-0.101, P<0.05). The attitude towards death findings revealed fear as the highest scoring dimension, with active acceptance scoring the lowest. Moreover, religious health exhibited a significant inverse relationship with avoidance of death (rs=-0.93) and fear of death (rs=-0.64, P<0.05).
Conclusion: The study highlighted an inverse relationship between the level of religious health and negative dimensions of attitude towards death. Individuals with higher religious health scores exhibited lower average scores for negative attitudes towards death, including fear and avoidance of death. This underscores the importance of emphasizing the religious dimension within families, and among patients discharged from the ICU, showcasing the role of religion in mitigating negative attitudes towards death.