Effects of a Spirituality Promotion Program on Spirituality, Empathy and Stress in Nursing Students / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE@#The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a spirituality promotion program on spirituality, empathy and stress in nursing students.@*METHODS@#This study used one-group pretest-posttest design. Participants were 162 nursing students who participated in the spirituality program at C University in Seoul between 2014 and 2016. The effects of this study were measured using the Spirituality Assessment Scale, Toronto Empathy Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale-10. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test.@*RESULTS@#Spirituality increased significantly (Z=−8.06, p<.001), empathy also increased significantly (Z=−2.05, p=.040) and perceived stress decreased significantly (t=5.59, p<.001) after the spirituality promotion program.@*CONCLUSION@#Results show that the spirituality promotion program is an effective intervention to improve spirituality and empathy and reduce stress for nursing students. Therefore, this study proposes utilization of this spirituality promotion program with nursing students so that they can take care of themselves and develop the ability to perform holistic nursing care for patients.

Spiritual and Psychosocial Effects of the Spirituality Promotion Program on Clinical Nurses

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Spirituality Promotion Program(SPP) for young nurses working in the stressful university hospital environment. METHODS: The study included 41 nurses in the experimental group, nurses who had worked less than 5 years and completed 8 weeks of SPP between June and July in 2011. The control group, 44 nurses, also received the same program after the study was completed. For the study, a survey was conducted of all participants concerning spirituality, perceived stress, positive and negative affect, empathy, job satisfaction, and leadership practice. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the two groups on study variables. Perceived stress decreased significantly in the experimental group (p=.012). Spirituality (p=.019), positive affect (p=.014), empathy (p=.004), job satisfaction (p=.016), and leadership practice (p=.021) increased significantly in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The results show that the Spirituality Promotion Program has positive effects on the spiritual and psychosocial aspect of young nurses. Continuation of this program for nurses is recommended in order to help them develop their selfcare ability and improve nursing competency.

Spirituality, Death Anxiety and Burnout Levels among Nurses Working in a Cancer Hospital / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: This study is to explore the relationships among spirituality, death anxiety and burnout level of nurses caring for cancer patients. METHODS: Participants were 210 nurses from a cancer hospital in Seoul. Data were collected from April until June 2012 and analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe's test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The mean score for spirituality was 3.51 out of six. Among sub-categories, the one that scored the highest was the purpose and meaning of life, followed by unifying interconnectedness, inner resources and transcendence. The mean score for death anxiety was 3.22, and the sub-categories in the order of high score were denial of death, awareness of the shortness of time, pure death anxiety and fear of matters related to death. For the burnout, the mean was 4.10. Among sub-categories, highest mark was found with emotional exhaustion, followed by depersonalization and personal accomplishment. The spirituality level was negatively correlated with those of death anxiety and burnout. Death anxiety was positively correlated with burnout levels. Nurses with the higher spirituality level also had a higher level of education and experience of spiritual education, believed in the existence of God. In contrast, death anxiety and burnout levels were higher among those with a lower level of education, atheists, and for those who answered that religion has little influence on life. CONCLUSION: Thus, it is necessary to provide spiritual interventions for nurses who care for cancer patients to develop their spirituality, reduce death anxiety and prevent them from burning out easily.

Distress, Depression, Anxiety, and Spiritual Needs of Patients with Stomach Cancer

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate relationships among distress, depression, anxiety, and spiritual needs of hospitalized patients with stomach cancer. METHODS: The participants were 120 in-patients with stomach cancer for surgery or chemotherapy at C University in Seoul from December 2010 to February 2011. To measure emotional and spiritual states was used Distress management version 1 (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, NCCN), the Hospital anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Spiritual Needs Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0, specifically descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, and Pearson's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Distress showed positive correlations with anxiety (r=.49, p<.001), and depression (r=.44, p<.001). Anxiety showed positive correlations with depression (r=.59, p<.001). While, depression showed negative correlations with spiritual needs (r=-.25, p<.001). CONCLUSION: This study's findings show that hospitalized patients with stomach cancer experienced distress, anxiety, depression and high spiritual needs. Distress, anxiety, and depression of patients with stomach cancer were positively correlated with each other. While the level of depression was negatively correlated with the level of spiritual needs, indicating the higher the level of depression, the lower the spiritual needs. Therefore, nursing interventions for emotional and spiritual support need to be developed for stomach cancer patients.

Factors Influencing Family Functioning of Couples with Breast Cancer in the Middle Adaptation Stage: Trajectory of Chronic Illness / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to test a theoretical model examining the relationships among social support, illness demands, marital adjustment, family coping and family functioning in couples more than three years after breast cancer diagnosis. METHODS: A causal modeling methodology was used to test the specified relationships in the recursive theoretical model. A total of 60 couples with breast cancer were recruited from January to April 2005. Five standardized questionnaires were used to measure the theoretical concepts: social support (ISSB), illness demands (DOII), marital adjustment (DAS), family coping (F-COPES), and family functioning (FACESII). RESULTS: Path analysis results from the wives and the husbands revealed different patterns. Three hypotheses were supported in the wife model as predicted: social support and family coping, family coping and family functioning, and social support and marital adjustment (trend). Five hypotheses were supported in the husband model as predicted: social support and illness demands, also social support and marital adjustment, illness demands and marital adjustment, marital adjustment and family coping, and family coping and family functioning. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable information for developing various interventions with social support for improving family functioning of breast cancer couples in the middle adaption stage (more than three years after diagnosis).

Perception of Artificial Hydration for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients: Patients, Families and General Public / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate how much understand about artificial hydration in patients with terminal cancer, according to the subject groups, including patients, families, and general public. METHODS: Data were collected from June 2007 to December 2007 and the participants included 22 hospitalized patients in the hospice unit of S Hospital, 100 families, and 101 participants who participated in a hospice education program for the general public. The questionnaire was developed through literature review, interview with patients' families, and expertise consultation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with an SAS program. RESULTS: Understanding of artificial hydration among patients, families and general public was examined from three perspectives. From an ethical perspective, 'if you receive artificial hydration, you can live longer', 45.5%, 63%, and 52.4% of the above three groups, respectively, answered "yes". From an emotional perspective, 'artificial hydration must be provided', 81.8%, 70% and 58.4%, respectively, agreed. From a cultural perspective, 'if artificial hydration is not provided for the patient, the families will feel painful', 95.5%, 83%, and 88.2%, respectively, answered "yes". CONCLUSION: This study found the differences in understanding of artificial hydration among patients, families and general public, and also found that less than 50 percent of the participants understood artificial hydration appropriately. We suggest, therefore, that patients' understanding about artificial hydration should be determined in the clinical setting and then followed by individualized education according to given medical situations.

Analysis of Clinical Nursing Activities Using Home Hospice Nursing Intervention Standards / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to validate the nursing intervention standards of home care to home care setting for a guide in giving quality care to home hospice patients. METHODS: The developed nursing standards were applied to 79 home hospice patients at K hospital, C university. Data were collected through the developed nursing intervention standards of home care with 19 selected nursing interventions and 418 associated nursing activities from January to June in 2006. RESULTS: The performance frequency was 509 times for total nursing interventions and 7,815 times for total associated nursing activities. The most frequently used nursing activity was 722 times(9.24%) on teaching prescribed medication, followed by surveillance(718 times, 9.18%), and vital signs & neurologic monitoring nursing intervention(701 times, 8.97%). The highest mean nursing activity performance rate showed on Intravenous therapy(82%), followed by dying care(81%), and vital signs & neurologic monitoring (80%). Among 418 nursing activities, there were three classifications: 168 as core activities, 165 as major, and 85 as accessory activities. CONCLUSION: The final validated nursing intervention standards can guide home care nurses to perform quality care and contribute to computerized nursing services and request of nursing fees.

Analysis of Clinical Nursing Activities Using Home Hospice Nursing Intervention Standards / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to validate the nursing intervention standards of home care to home care setting for a guide in giving quality care to home hospice patients. METHODS: The developed nursing standards were applied to 79 home hospice patients at K hospital, C university. Data were collected through the developed nursing intervention standards of home care with 19 selected nursing interventions and 418 associated nursing activities from January to June in 2006. RESULTS: The performance frequency was 509 times for total nursing interventions and 7,815 times for total associated nursing activities. The most frequently used nursing activity was 722 times(9.24%) on teaching prescribed medication, followed by surveillance(718 times, 9.18%), and vital signs & neurologic monitoring nursing intervention(701 times, 8.97%). The highest mean nursing activity performance rate showed on Intravenous therapy(82%), followed by dying care(81%), and vital signs & neurologic monitoring (80%). Among 418 nursing activities, there were three classifications: 168 as core activities, 165 as major, and 85 as accessory activities. CONCLUSION: The final validated nursing intervention standards can guide home care nurses to perform quality care and contribute to computerized nursing services and request of nursing fees.

A Study on the Subjectivity of Care Needs for Hospice Patients / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify types of care needs for hospice patients through Q- methodology. METHOD: Twenty three Q-statements were selected through in-depth interviews of hospice patients. Data were collected from 20 hospice patients by sorting 23 Q-statements into 9 points standard and then analyzed using PC QUANL program. RESULT: Type 1 was named 'the need for pain control type' and patients of this type had the greatest need of physical care to be free of pain and be comfortable. Type 2 was named 'the need for love and intimacy type' and patients of this type would like to share love and intimacy with their family members. Type 3 was named 'the needs for reliance on an Absolute Being type' and patients of this type would like to receive forgiveness from their God and prayers. Type 4 was named 'the need for accomplishment and service type' and patients of this type would like to complete their on going work and to give service to others. CONCLUSION: The study result could be basic data to perform effective nursing interventions for satisfying the care needs of hospice patients.