Spirituality: concept and frameworks

Spirituality

According to the holistic model of care, a lot of nurses should contemplate their patients' spiritual necessities so that they can give them the total patient care that they deserve (Govier, 2000). There is rising consciousness of the influence that spiritual happiness can do for a patient's real and apparent health and excellence of life (Chibnall et al., 2002; Mount, 2003). Spirituality and spiritual care in the past years is gaining a lot of drive in the present nursing field. Draper and McSherry (2002) mention that it has arose out of nowhere to occupy a noticeable part of present health care. Furthermore, inside the nursing occupation, an emphasis on people as bio psychosocial-spiritual beings is expanding acknowledgement. This view is founded on the basis that there should be a balance or stability of mind, body and spirit for the preservation of health in an individual (Stoll, 1989; Stooter, 1995). On the other hand, there is proof that a lot of nurses, as well as nurse educators, have a hard time with the idea of spirituality and therefore, may disregard this feature of care (Greenstreet, 1999; McSherry, 2000). The purpose of this article is to donate towards explaining the idea of spirituality.

Concept Examination

"A concept is an element that is used in the creation of the theory" (Miller-Keane, 1997, p.362). Concepts are nonconcrete which are originated from specific characteristics that involve hope, love, longing (McEwen & Wills, 2007, p.52). Concept study is operated to define and examine a word and how it is used in language and nursing literature, explanation in expressing characteristics, qualifications and provides new devices for theory and research expansion. Concept analysis can be used to express and evaluate the diagnosis of nursing. ( Tanyi,2002). Spirituality in health care and nursing has significantly enlarged. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JACHO) has given a mandate of health care providers to appear and make an address to a patient's spiritual needs (Tanyi, 2002) JACHO (2005) mentioned that "Spiritual evaluation should, at the least, decide the patient's faith, principles, and what spiritual practices are very vital to the patient. This data would help in figuring out the influence of spirituality, if there is any, on the care/services that are being offered and will recognize if any additional evaluation is needed.

The standards need organization's to designate the essence and selection of spiritual and other assessments and the involvements of the people that are occupied in making sure that the assessment is performed." Spirituality is a very significant concept in the health science setting. A lot of people are not happy with medical treatment. During the time of life pressuring illness with diseases such as AIDS, Cancer, and heart conditions, people can sometimes undergo frustration, rage and loss of hope. In order to meet the request of illness a lot of people utilize various coping means such as meditation, prayer and other spiritual activities.

Aims or Reasons

Spirituality is a theoretical perception and has a lot of meanings because of its imperceptible and nature that is subjective. The purpose of concept analysis is to explain the idea of spirituality in health care and nursing and to sway how nurses and patients should mix this notion into use. The conceptual analysis strategy that was proposed by Walker and Avant (2005) has been utilized as the conceptual framework. The phases in the Walker and Avant model are the following: chose a concept, decide the goals or determinations of analysis, recognize all the various uses of the concept conceivable, decide the important characteristics, recognize model case, pinpoint borderline, related, conflicting, created, and unlawful cases, identify forebears and significances and to define empirical referents. This model was chosen is because it has eight steps. It enables an in-depth analysis of the perception. This model can produce detailed working definitions, make available new devices for theory and research development, and clinically progress nursing practice.

Uses of Concepts

Spirituality has a lot of varied definitions. Funk and Wagnall Standard Desk Dictionary page 649 definition of Spirituality is "Disturbing the unimportant nature or soul of man. Of or relating to God, holy. Sacred or spiritual" ("Spirituality," 1876). "Spirituality can be stated by many as when there is a connection with the Supreme Being God" (Musgrave et al., 2002). A literature review was managed by Tanyi Ruth and she mentioned that a lot of nursing authors like Burkhardt, Reed, Emblem, Dorsey and numerous others have comprised fundamentals that are as transcendence, explaining mystery relations, meaning and purpose in life, higher power and associations in their descriptions of spirituality. According to Tanyi, spirituality can be defined as a way of being, an invigorating influence that pushes people to get to their highest prospective, a significant and massive way of knowing the world and is spoken throughout a lot of individual devices such as music and meditation. Spirituality may be connected to religion for definite people, for others it may not necessarily be the case. For instance, a person that is an atheist or an agnostic may be focuses on a convincing conviction in relationships that are vital, values that are self-chosen and objectives as an alternative of a belief in God. These principles possibly will become the powerful force in the beings of the people. "Spirituality is obtained from the Latin word spiritus, spirit, the vital part of the individual which regulates the mind and the mind then has control over the body. However, the spirit is the vital life force that does a good job of motivating people and influencing one's life, health actions and associations" (Baldacchino & Draper, 2001). She also makes a good point explaining that spirituality is the middle-of-the-road of life which joins all facets of the human being. Spirituality relates to those that believe and those that do not, as well as the manifestation of different cultural philosophies (Baldacchino & Draper, 2001). Culliford point-of-view was the following: "during the times of emotional strain, physical sickness, loss, mourning and death human beings manage to find ease, peace, inspiration, reverence and meaning by focusing on their spirituality whether they believe in God or not" (Culliford, 2002). In a study that was done by Tuck and Thingajana the connotation of spirituality was articulated by person that was living with the HIV disease and adults that were heavy. The descriptions voiced by the HIV patients were that "Spirituality is believing in God and relating to him, who is always nearby. It is observed as being steered or assisted or being encouraged or giving unto. Spirituality contains the procedure of voyaging, determining and focusing and is externally communicated" (Tuck & Thinganjana, 2007).

Describing Attributes

Attributes are features of the concept that are recurrently exercised. The inherent characteristics of spirituality are: faith, faithfulness, connectedness, inner strength, harmony, and creativeness, love, meaning, holy, and a connection between God/man / eventual reality, soul, religious approaches, heavenly, emotional state, thoughts, contemplation, standards, personal philosophy, imagination and drive. The extrinsic characteristics are religious affiliation, church services, having a good church attendance, prayer, optimistic confirmations, relationship or interaction with God, ranked configurations. Ministers, priests, religious practices and co contribution in experiences that are shared with humans. During the time of disaster, people would turn to a higher power because they believed that their prayers would be answered, along with strength, peace, courage and inspiration. In a lot of people culture, spirituality plays a vital role. Religious spirituality has given people the encouragement and stamina they need to survive on daily basis. Fasting, praying and singing religious songs are widely accomplished in their spirituality. They have a very strong belief in God and their faith is not moved by anything. Worshipping days are usually observed on Sundays. My personal view on Spirituality is that relationship with God. I looked to this Supreme Being for strength, courage and hope. With this concept many people learn how to, forgive, be compassionate and caring, honest and trustworthy. With these attributes nurses can apply them to their patients and override the challenges they face on a daily basis. . I personally practice this concept on a daily basis by meditation, fasting and listening to music that is religious.

Model Case

A model case is a composed story intended from clinical involvements with patients, or actual non-composed examples taken from real life that comprise all the important attributes of the Concept and absolutely demonstrate it. (Tanyi, 2002)

According to Walker and Avant (2005) case examples are utilized to promote further understanding of the concepts. Patsy was a 35-year-old female who had been diagnosed with CVA. She had left sided weakness and she would slur when she talked. Monica was a woman that carried an extremely strong faith in God which gave a lot of meaning to her life but she is furious and in her mind believes that God is out to punish her. Diana told the nurse that she was scared that her boyfriend was going to abandoned her and that she would not be able to get married and create a family. Diana intensely believes in family customs like having a family that will give her purpose and meaning to her life. She appreciated becoming a mother which is an important motive for her being. This significance is endangered by fear and her illness. The nurse provided emotional encouragement by lending an ear and offering to help her by referring her to a psychologist and pastoral care which Diana gladly agreed to do. Diana became very grateful to the nurse for taking time out of to just be a good listener and to give her some spiritual support.

Diana was dismissed from the service. She then went to tell the nurse that she appreciated her for the support and reassurance during her time of desolation. She brings a beautiful box of cookies to show her gratitude. Dian told the nurse that she continued to go to the counseling sessions and support groups. She talked about how she and her boyfriend were now engaged and was excited about settling down and starting a family. Her rejoining with God, her morals and principles have transformed her feeling of faith, determination, hope, determination and meaning in life. This new consciousness has given her a consciousness of thankfulness, love, admiration, joy and satisfaction. With these characteristics she was able to downtrodden her sadness and fears.

This example is a model case as it shows all of the characteristics of spirituality as emphasized in the meanings. It validates believing and having faith in God, important relations, personal standards and beliefs it also proves how a faith system and association with others can endorse inner peace and strength. Diana was spiritually converted which allowed her to surmount her examinations. This model case covers all the rudiments recognized as critical qualities of spirituality.

Borderline Case

A borderline case is an example of a concept that encompasses some a little but to every one of the attributes (Tanyi, 2002). Eric was put into hospital with ETOH abuse and with seizures. Tom articulated how he believed life had not been fair to him. He talked about how he had been serving God and going to church but his life was unhappy. He lost everything including his home, job and wife. Eric expressed his insecurity about God and no longer has the courage to go on with his life. Eric expressed his grief and that he had no one to depend on because of his misfortune. Eric began to question his purpose in life. He was no longer encouraged to go on with life anymore. He stated that life had no meaning for him and that his future was hopeless. I offered emotional support and explained to him that he needed to talk to a counselor and also go to a support group. Eric had also been referred to a psychiatrist. At that point he felt that he would get the strength that he desired to continue. With optimistic assertions and prayers he was relinking with the Supreme Being. He was dismissed. About three months later Eric had come back with the same diagnosis. This is a borderline case as it displays some of the characteristics of spirituality, but not every one of them. Eric suffered an instant of connectedness to me all through our spiritual associations for a little time which had some kind of significance to his life. At that time Eric felt an appreciation of expectation, tranquility and trust. The instant he was cleared from my care, he lost the will power to go on any further with his spiritual customs. He had no kind of faith method to maintain him spiritually.

Precursors and Outcomes

There are conditions that are present before the incidence of a concept and which is named antecedents. The significances are consequences which arose as an outcome of a concept. (Tanyi, 2002)

The precursors of spirituality comprise life and spirit. (Tanyi, 2002). Guaranteed life actions such as illness, deaths, solitude, divorce and, loss of a loved one, can motivate someone to acquire a longing for spiritual consciousness. The hunt for meaning includes the need to appreciate the intimidating event and its influence on life before a spiritual happiness is accomplished. In every person there appears to be a spiritual measurement, a characteristic that goes further than religious association that struggles for creativeness, respect, awe, meaning, and drive even in those that do not have a belief in God. The spiritual measurement tries to be in synchronization with the universe, and struggles to find answers that concern the infinite (Tanyi, 2002). The effects of spirituality are hope, peace, love, happiness, bravery, clemency, strength and trust. The unconstructive results can be remorse and inner disagreement about one's standards and principles (Tanyi, 2002).