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Spiritual health represents the last dimension introduced to the overall notion of health and could even be regarded as the most critical dimension. This study investigates spiritual health and social factors associated with it among students at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS). The study was cross-sectional research in which the respondents were 400 enrolled students of different disciplines at SUMS selected through random multistage sampling. Electronic questionnaires were used to collect data. Due to COVID-19 restrictions when the study was conducted in 2021, the classes were held online, and the whole process lasted about two months. The data collected were analyzed in SPSS 19 based on such statistical procedures as mean, standard deviation, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA. The results revealed that, the students' spiritual health was generally above average, and based on the respondents' views, the most important dimensions of spiritual health were "behavior”, "orientation”, and "insight”, respectively. The findings also showed a significant difference in the participants' spiritual health about their marital status, place of residence, and respective school (P<0.05);Being married, living in rural regions, studying nursing, and having completed fewer semesters could contribute to increased spiritual health. The more semesters the students completed, the less spiritual health they experienced (r=-0.134;P<0.001). The reason for this is that increasing the levels of spiritual health would depend on an individual's ability to change his/her intellectual insights and emotional orientations. However, these two factors may decline as students begin their academic studies. The level of hypochondriasis was low, and this variable variable was not significantly associated with spiritual health (P>0.05). In response, policymakers must find solutions to this problem by formulating plans that could ideally enhance students' levels of spiritual health. © 2023, Mahidol University - ASEAN Institute for Health Development. All rights reserved.
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COVID-19 pandemic has triggered serious psychological problems mainly in the front-line healthcare staff. The aim of this study was to examine the predictive role of spiritual health and resilience in mental distress of nurses in COVID-19 wards in Iran. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 91 nurses working in COVID-19 wards in 2020. The results showed that 23.1% of nurses had mental distress. In addition, the correlation coefficient showed that there was a negative and significant relationship between spiritual health (r = -.22, p < .01) and resilience (r = -.34, p < .01) with mental distress. The regression results indicated that spiritual health and resilience predicted 16% of the variation in mental distress (p < .05). Spiritual health and resilience are important constructs of mental distress in nurses and significantly predict and elaborate parts of changes in mental distress. Thus, mental health in nurses can be improved by improving the spiritual aspect and resilience in nurses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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The COVID-19 pandemic is not only an epidemiological crisis but also a spiritual health crisis that affects nursing students. Spiritual health is essential in maintaining and promoting physical and mental health to achieve happiness, potential, meaning, and purpose of life even during a pandemic. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to examine factors affecting spiritual health of nursing college students. The study adheres to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. A total of 219 nursing students from three nursing colleges in Metropolitan D city participated in the study through an online Google Form questionnaire from 2-18 September 2021. The mean score of spiritual health was 96.98 ± 11.54 (out of 120 points); spiritual health was significantly positively correlated with life satisfaction and academic performance (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with academic stress (p < 0.001). Factors significantly affecting spiritual health were academic stress (ß = -2.21, p = 0.045), life satisfaction (ß = 3.85, p < 0.001), and academic performance; below score of 3.0 (ß = -2.08, p = 0.039). The explanatory power of these effects was 30.7%. As a future professional nurse who will work in the clinical field where the demand for the spiritual care of patients is increasing, it is necessary to develop and apply a curriculum that can improve the spiritual health of nursing students.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Students, Nursing , Humans , Students, Nursing/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Pandemics , SpiritualityABSTRACT
Background. Taekwon-Do, a South Korean martial art and combat sport teaches hundreds of physical skills through a stratified curriculum. The highest learning objectives of Taekwon-Do are, however, its five tenets (courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit). Unlike the physical aspects of Taekwon-Do practice, there are no direct assessment tools that can determine if a student has acquired and utilized the tenets. The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic may provide a unique opportunity to assess the acquisition of some of the tenets of Taekwon-Do. Problem and Aim. This study aims to provide an indirect method of assessing students' adoption of some of Taekwon-Do's tenets by understanding how these ideals may enable Taekwon-Do practitioners to overcome physical and emotional challenges in their daily lives. Methods. The research methodology utilizes an autoethnographic research design that correlates the author's application of the tenets of Taekwon-Do to his mental and spiritual health successes after suffering through the COVID-19 pandemic and life-altering physical injuries. Results. COVID-19, like the author's injuries, provides an indirect and qualitative assessment opportunity for two tenets of Taekwondo (perseverance and indomitable spirit). Conclusion. While indirect assessment is a viable and established pedagogical means of assessment, quantitative measurement tools may be more persuasive to prove the effectiveness of the tenets of Taekwon-Do.
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Background & objective: Experience documentation is an important component of knowledge management. Experience documentation aims to elicit tacit knowledge of individuals, document its teachings, and make them publishable. This research develops and proposes a model for recording organizational experiences. Method(s): This research is a descriptive study that was performed qualitatively and quantitatively. The statistical population consisted of 24 people selected from academic experts, administrators, and executive experts using the snowball sampling method. Data were analyzed using SPSS and MaxQDA software. After studying the scientific documents and upstream documents, the effective components in experience documentation were extracted. Then, the questions related to each component were determined and validated during meetings with experts. Result(s): In this model, important events were first identified and the issues, measures, and decisions were then extracted. Finally, the suggestions, scenario planning and modeling, and teachings were identified. Conclusion(s): effective components in recording experiences and related questions can propose a good model for documenting organizational experiences. The results of this research can be used as a basis for managers to plan and implement experience documentation in their organizations. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
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Background & Objective: Health is a concept that has different dimensions. One of its dimensions is spiritual health, which is often overlooked, while it is always necessary, especially in crises. In this study, the concept of spiritual health in children in the COVID-19 pandemic has been investigated. Method(s): This qualitative study was conducted in Tehran using content analysis. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 12 adolescents who had recently been released from home quarantine on suspicion of coronavirus infection. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Result(s): Data analysis on the concept of spiritual health led to emergence of three main categories of hope, faith and patience. Conclusion(s): Nurses, as care providers, play an important role in maintaining and promoting health in all their dimensions, and can also promote the spiritual health of adolescents as the future makers of the country by focusing on each of the extracted themes.
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Background: COVID 19 pandemic created immense mental & physical agony among human beings worldwide. The present study was conducted to assess the physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing of young adults and the elderly, during the lock-down phase of COVID-19. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted among 227 healthy adults in Bhubaneswar, capital of Odisha. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire pertaining to the physical, mental, social and spiritual health of participants. Results: During the lockdown, around two-thirds (65.4%) of the participants reported feeling helpless. The elderly felt more helpless than the young adults. One-third (73, 32.6%) of the participants experienced health issues during the lockdown period. The majority of the study participants (83.8%) mentioned that their family members shared tasks during lockdown which was a very positive sign observed in this study. Faith in God for the elderly and family support for the young adults made them mentally stronger. Conclusion: Managing pandemic needs a multipronged approach. But focusing on psychosocial health will prevent future unseen mental health pandemics and improve the resilience of mankind. © 2022, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine. All rights reserved.
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Team Lavender, a coordinated response team addresses the spiritual, emotional, and psychological needs of healthcare workers following adverse events and accumulated stress, including Covid-19. Proven to be a valuable peer-to-peer support team in reducing stress levels. Team Lavender is modeled from Code Lavender in the United States. This article addresses the background to justify the need of Team Lavender, its' significance in a regional acute care setting, and justification for implementing Team Lavender.
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COVID-19 , Lavandula , Pastoral Care , Health Personnel/psychology , Humans , Mental Health , United StatesABSTRACT
Considering the global number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths, it is not strange that COVID-19 disease is a reminiscent of concepts such as death and affliction with a serious disease. Furthermore, it might remind people of issues such as the reason(s) for occurrence of deplorable events in the universe, the meaning of life, individuals' duties toward themselves and others, the relationship between the nature and human beings, and individuals' relationship with a higher being (in case there is a belief in a higher being), i.e. the subjects spirituality deals with. The constructive or destructive role of each of religious and non-religious spiritual systems at the time of crises are observed more clearly than ever. The present paper addresses roles which spiritual systems might play in facing the COVID-19 disease crisis, considering different areas of spiritual well-being and the possibility that spiritual systems might be affected by perceived challenges during a pandemic. Because of the problems interfering with overcoming COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of next waves of its epidemics and pandemics, it is necessary for health policy-makers to use all available capacities and capabilities to counteract the disease, including using both internal motivations (such as spiritual beliefs which prohibit hurting oneself and others and which emphasize performing social responsibilities) and external ones (e.g. regulations) to cope with it. It makes sense for public health officials in different countries to use more actively the potential of those spiritual systems that support COVID-19 public health recommendations, as a culturally based intervention and policy.
COVID-19 disease might remind people of issues such as the reason(s) for occurrence of deplorable events in the universe, the meaning of life, individuals' duties toward themselves and others, the relationship between the nature and human beings, and individuals' relationship with a higher being as an omnipotent (in case there is a belief in a higher being). These are the subjects which spirituality deals with. Some spiritual packages (or say spiritual systems), religious or non-religious, might respond appropriately to our questions about the above topics and help us to get through the disasters such as COVID-19 disease with the least complications and some might not. Given what health officials and scientists have said regarding COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to adhere to those spiritual systems which could help us: - Do our best in order to prevent endangerment of our life and that of other people. - Lead, despite all the bitter facts, a meaningful life during the pandemic. - When afflicted with the disease, cope with it well and also cope with the possibility of death. - Learn the lesson 'every good thing you wish for yourself, wish it for others too, and every evil thing you do not like for yourself, do not like it for others either'.
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COVID-19 , Adaptation, Psychological , Humans , Pandemics , Religion , SpiritualityABSTRACT
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on multiple aspects of physical and social health, including spiritual and religious dimensions, has been discussed not only by numerous theologians, scientists, and politicians, but also by millions of believers of all faiths worldwide. The pandemic seems to have exerted a significant impact on religious practices. Massive gatherings of devoted and faithful people have been strongly discouraged and even openly banned. Prominent religious festivals and pilgrimages that have been conflated by the media with other "mega-spreader events" are incessantly canceled to mitigate the pandemic and alleviate the burden of COVID-19 on the healthcare system. The impact of the pandemic on Catholic or Muslim religious tourism has been extensively described in peer-reviewed and gray literature. However, observant members of the Orthodox Christianity faith have also experienced the constrictive prohibitions for gathering at and worshiping in shrines, churches, and monasteries. Among the manifestations of devotion that the pandemic has interfered with are the attendance to public worship spaces for the celebration of rites and ceremonies, like the celebration of Orthodox Easter. Expressions of reverent devotion including the kissing of crosses and icons as well as the sacrament of Holy Communion may have also been considered a motive of concern as these holy objects and the spoon used might act as fomites in the dissemination of the virus. Visitation of holy places has been also hampered by the pandemic. The most important centers of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christianity are Mount Athos and Jerusalem, as well as the Shrine of Panagia Evangelistria in the Island of Tinos, Greece. Authorities have halted almost completely the arrival of visitors to these sites. This paper aims at elaborating on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on social manifestations of religiosity and therefore taking a toll on the spiritual health of believers who have deeply rooted religious convictions and are strongly attached to Church tradition. This analysis closes with the provision of specific suggestions for the care, support, and healing of the impacted or splintered spiritual health of the believers who cannot participate in expressions of devotion, such as pilgrimages and religious tourism because of personal and public health concern, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Catholicism , Ceremonial Behavior , Christianity , Humans , Islam , Pandemics/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 has caused major health problems, including anxiety in cancer patients worldwide. Spiritual health and mindfulness are considered as factors affecting anxiety. This study addressed the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety, spiritual health and mindfulness in patients with cancer. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-four cancer patients participated in this cross-sectional study. The data were collected with convenience sampling method from two oncology centers from 15 June to 15 July 2020 in the southeast Iran. Patients completed the Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Form, Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), The Freiburg Mindfulness inventory-Short Form (FMI-SF) and Spiritual Health Scale. RESULTS: According to the psychological symptom subscale (CDAS), 61.4% of the participants had moderate to severe anxiety. According to the physical symptom subscale, 38% of the participants had moderate to severe anxiety. No significant association was found between corona disease anxiety and mindfulness/spiritual health (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed high levels of mental and physical anxiety and worries about COVID-19 disease in cancer patients, which led to challenges in their lives. It is necessary to review and implement effective interventions in future studies to prevent anxiety and its consequences in cancer patients.
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Stress is one of the effective factors in the occurrence of negative effects during pregnancy that can cause adverse outcomes such as preterm delivery and reduced intrauterine growth of the fetus in pregnant women. Therefore, one of the serious concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic is the physical health and mental health of pregnant women. This study aimed to evaluate the physical health status with the spiritual and mental health of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is a descriptive study in 2019-2020 and the samples were randomly selected from all pregnant women who referred to hospitals and private maternity centers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and performed all pregnancy and fetal health tests. It was performed on 560 pregnant female samples. The mental status of pregnant women was assessed using the DASS Spiritual Health and Stress Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software (version 24). The results of this study showed that preterm birth, height, weight, and head circumference of babies and lungs and respiratory status of children with mental health and stress levels of pregnant women during the corona are significant compared with the previous of corona (p < 0.05). Increasing stress and decreasing the mental health of pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic can increase the influencing factors in preterm delivery and unhealthy birth.
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A film review of "Abortion Helpline, This Is Lisa (2019)".