Impact of Spirituality in Christians With Serious Illness – A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Seeking support within the faith community is frequently noted in Christians with serious illness. To assure needs are identified and to better understand the implications of spirituality in people with serious illness, a phenomenological study following the Giorgi methodology was conducted with 20 Christian individuals living with serious illness while residing in Greenwood, South Carolina, a community in the heart of the Bible Belt of America. Research interviews captured four major structures with accompanying constituent parts. The structures and constituent parts include sovereignty of God with unpredictability, relationship with God especially through prayer, illness-related loss with accompanying guilt for the subsequent burden created for the caregivers, and gratitude for the love and support shown to the participant by loved ones and others. The impact of the structures and constituent parts of spirituality identified by the Christians who participated in this study demonstrates the value and significance of the faith-based spiritual support received during their illness.