Article

Spiritual Well-Being and Practices Among Women With Gynecologic Cancer

Aida J. López

Ruth McCaffrey

Mary T. Quinn Griffin

Joyce J. Fitzpatrick

spirituality, gynecologic cancer, gynecologic malignancies
ONF 2009, 36(3), 300-305. DOI: 10.1188/09.ONF.300-305

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.

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