Common Understandings

Spirituality in Relation to Human Spirit(Humanistic view)

Emphasizes aspects of the human spirit and its relationship to other human spirits Includes ways people attempt to bring meaning to their secular lives

Other Helpful Constructs

Making meaning through choices One always have a choice in the attitudes they have toward their experiences Humans find meaning when they commit themselves to a higher cause
Higher Purpose, Higher Principles

Higher Power: see selves as part of something bigger to which they are responsible

Other Helpful Constructs

Higher purpose: life has meaning, individual life has purpose Higher Principles: seek to live lives by ethical standards incorporating values, ideals Presence that orders the world Nurture in infancy provides prototype for seeking and recognizing connection with God

Spirituality and Psychiatric Nusing

Spiritual aspect of care is viewed as unique and separate from other aspects of care by:
NANDA
Spiritual Distress Risk for spiritual distress

DSM-IV TR JCAHO Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation

Evidence of Clinical Benefits of Healthy Spirituality

Strongly religious adolescents:
Begin sexual activity later Less likely to use drugs Less likely to engage in violence More apt to use health promoting behaviors

Cardiac patients who were prayed for had better outcomes

Spirituality and Mental Health Nursing

Religious involvement associated with desirable mental health outcomes Sick religiosity associated with increased risk for mortality
Feeling separated from God Feeling unloved by God Attributing illness to the devil

Spirituality and Mental Health Nursing

Mental illness can give rise to important spiritual questions Concrete thinking vs religious symbolic language Qualities psychiatric patients seek in a spiritual care provider:
Authenticity Caring and Respect One who speaks slowly and in concrete terms

Spirituality and Mental Health Nursing

Assessment
Numerous spiritual assessment tools available

Intervention
Ask patients about religious preference Patients essential spiritual themes:
Desire for comfort, companionship, conversation

Offer to call chaplain or clergy of choice