Spirituality among family caregivers in palliative care: an integrative literature review.

Publisher: MA Healthcare Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9506762 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 1357-6321 (Print) Linking ISSN: 13576321 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int J Palliat Nurs

Publication: London : MA Healthcare
Original Publication: London : Mark Allen Pub., c1995-

Palliative Care* ; Spirituality*; Caregivers/*psychology; Humans

Background: Family caregivers experience spiritual and existential concerns while caring for their terminally ill family members.
Aim: To evaluate and synthesise studies on spirituality among family caregivers in palliative care.
Design: An integrative literature review of peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2016.
Sample: Participants were family caregivers (parents, spouses, relatives or friends) caring for an adult (age>18 years) family member with a terminal illness in a palliative care setting.
Results: Data from 26 published research papers were systematically analysed. Five themes were identified regarding spirituality and family caregiving: a close and meaningful connection, spirituality as a way of coping, spiritual needs and expressions among family caregivers, spirituality to transcend fears, and spirituality in family caregivers' decision-making.
Implications for Practice: Nurses are encouraged to explore the spirituality and spiritual experiences of family caregivers to support their spiritual wellbeing while caring for their terminally ill family members.

Keywords: Experiences; Family caregivers; Palliaitve care; Spirituality; Terminal illness

Date Created: 20180223 Date Completed: 20190930 Latest Revision: 20190930

20221213

10.12968/ijpn.2018.24.2.80

29469645