PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To identify spiritual well-being and spiritual practices in women with gynecologic cancer. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional. SETTING: Urban and rural communities in southeast Florida. SAMPLE: Convenience sample of 85 women (X age = 65.72 years) with some form of gynecologic cancer. METHODS: Participants completed questionnaires to assess spiritual well-being and spiritual practices while attending a healthcare clinic. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Spiritual well-being, spiritual practices. FINDINGS: The level of overall spiritual well-being was high, as were the levels of self-efficacy and life scheme (meaningfulness), as measured with two subscales. Most women reported use of several spiritual practices, including family activities, exercise, and listening to music. CONCLUSIONS: Additional study of the spiritual well-being and practices of women with cancer and comparisons with other groups of women are needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses can assume a role in encouraging spiritual practices and enhancing spiritual well-being in women with cancer.
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To identify spiritual well-being and spiritual practices in women with gynecologic cancer. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional. SETTING: Urban and rural communities in southeast Florida. SAMPLE: Convenience sample of 85 women (X age = 65.72 years) with some form of gynecologic cancer. METHODS:Participants completed questionnaires to assess spiritual well-being and spiritual practices while attending a healthcare clinic. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Spiritual well-being, spiritual practices. FINDINGS: The level of overall spiritual well-being was high, as were the levels of self-efficacy and life scheme (meaningfulness), as measured with two subscales. Most women reported use of several spiritual practices, including family activities, exercise, and listening to music. CONCLUSIONS: Additional study of the spiritual well-being and practices of women with cancer and comparisons with other groups of women are needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses can assume a role in encouraging spiritual practices and enhancing spiritual well-being in women with cancer.