Research Regarding the Spiritual Health Status of Primary Caregivers

Abstract

Background:

Patient receiving prolong mechanical ventilation (PMV) often have a high level of depression and low self-esteem, and are unable to express their inner pain. The family's mental pain and stress are no less than that of the patient. We used a questionnaire to conduct an investigation exploring the mental state of family members of patients on PMV in order to provide care and counseling in a timely manner.

Methods:

This was a cross-cut design study, and used a scale that has been shown to exhibit reliability. A 6-point Likert scale was used, with higher scores indicating a better the mental health status. There were 4 parts to the questionnaire: Purpose and Meaning of Life, Innerness or Inner Resources, Unifying Interconnectedness, and Transcendence. Analysis was performed using the chi-square, t-test, and Kruskal-Wallis no-parent test. Institutional Review Board (IRB):TTMHH-107R0017.

Results:

Of the participants, 73% were between 45 and54 years old (28%). The average Purpose and Meaning of L score was higher (3.22∼4.50). The main caregiver's spiritual health highest average score for a single question was for the Purpose and Significance of Life (M = 4.10), and the average minimum score for a single question was for Sense of Unity of Heaven and Earth (M = 2.59). The total average score was 101.19, with a standard deviation of 22.55 (Table 1). According to Howden, the classification of spiritual health is moderately general.

Conclusions:

The total spiritual health score in this study was the greatest with respect to life objectives and meaning. The highest score was 28.33. Mao Xinchun (1997) found that patients with terminal diseases often understand the value of their existence, and the meaning of life, because of the care of others. Therefore, based on the results of this study and the experience gained from the process of collecting data, the recommendations for spiritual education and practice are: (1) Proposal for spiritual education: Most subjects believe that spiritual education is insufficient. Therefore, design of a spiritual education program should consider how to integrate spiritual issues, especially the adjustment of long-term care stress, basic nursing, health assessment, and health promotion. (2) Suggestions for clinical practice: A spiritual, whole-person medical team can be established to provide counseling resources for the main caregiver's personal spiritual distress, and to provide spiritual care for the patient.