| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Devon Berry |
| Abstract | The number of studies demonstrating a relationship between religiosity and spirituality and physical and psychological health have increased rapidly during the past decade. There are significant disputes in the literature regarding the methodological quality of research in this area. Despite nursing scholars' interest in this area, no thorough review of the methodological critiques is available. The purpose of this study is to review areas of methodological difficulty in the study of religiosity and spirituality by identifying contemporary methodological critiques, critically evaluating the critiques and the underlying issues, and making suggestions for methodological advancement in the field. Three main areas of methodological critique exist: construct measurement, study design, and data analysis. Research in this area should aim for conceptual clarity, deliberate design, and appropriate analysis. Considerations of these critiques are instructive for nursing research done in the area of religiosity and spirituality. |
| Publication | Western Journal of Nursing Research |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 628-647 |
| Date | Aug 2005 |
| Journal Abbr | West J Nurs Res |
| DOI | 10.1177/0193945905275519 |
| ISSN | 0193-9459 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16020569 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 15:16:01 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 16020569 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
The purpose of this study is to review areas of methodological difficulty in the study of religiosity and spirituality by identifying contemporary methodological critiques, critically evaluating the critiques and the underlying issues, and making suggestions for methodological advancement in the field. Three main areas of methodological critique exist: construct measurement, study design, and data analysis.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | M A Burkhardt |
| Abstract | Learning to listen for indications of significant relationships and experience of connection is an important skill for the nurse. The nurse needs to be aware of the variety of expressions of spiriting, recognizing that it is often not expressed in traditional religious language. Dealing effectively with spiriting with clients requires an investment of the self, which is an intentional way of being with the client and can be a part of every nurse-client relationship. |
| Publication | Holistic Nursing Practice |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 69-77 |
| Date | May 1989 |
| Journal Abbr | Holist Nurs Pract |
| ISSN | 0887-9311 |
| Short Title | Spirituality |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2670980 |
| Accessed | Thu Nov 12 17:07:56 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 2670980 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:42:17 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:42:17 2011 |
Learning to listen for indications of significant relationships and experience of connection is an important skill for the nurse. The nurse needs to be aware of the variety of expressions of spiriting, recognizing that it is often not expressed in traditional religious language. Dealing effectively with spiriting with clients requires an investment of the self, which is an intentional way of being with the client and can be a part of every nurse-client relationship.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Janice Clarke |
| Abstract | AIMS: To offer a detailed discussion of the issue of 'lack of critique' in the literature on spirituality in nursing. The discussion will include the limited use of sources from theology and religious studies and the demand to separate spirituality and religion and will go on to examine the consequences of the resulting approach. The drive for unique knowledge to further professionalisation and the demands of inclusiveness are suggested as possible reasons for the development of the current model. The dangers and pitfalls of definition are explored. The paper suggests that theology could provide insights into explaining spirituality. BACKGROUND: The last four decades have seen a proliferation of definitions of spirituality in the nursing literature. Recently, in response to their own concerns and prompts from outside the 'spirituality' community authors have suggested that we revisit this literature with a more critical stance. This paper is in response to that suggestion. During the course of a PhD supervised from a department of practical theology I have critically analysed the literature from several perspectives and this paper is one result of that review. DESIGN: Literature review. METHODS: Critical reflection on how spirituality has been defined. CONCLUSION: The lack of critique has produced a bias in the literature towards broad, generic, existential definitions which, together with the intentional divorce from religion and theology have led to definitions which have the tendency to result in a type of spiritual care which is indistinguishable from psychosocial care, hard to explain to patients and difficult to put into practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The acceptance of a diverse range of understandings of spirituality and a greater focus on practical ways of using it in nursing care are the direction the profession should be moving into. |
| Publication | Journal of Clinical Nursing |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Pages | 1666-1673 |
| Date | Jun 2009 |
| Journal Abbr | J Clin Nurs |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02707.x |
| ISSN | 1365-2702 |
| Accessed | Tue Feb 22 18:42:08 2011 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 19646113 |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
AIMS: To offer a detailed discussion of the issue of ‘lack of critique’ in the literature on spirituality in nursing. The discussion will include the limited use of sources from theology and religious studies and the demand to separate spirituality and religion and will go on to examine the consequences of the resulting approach.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Janice Clarke |
| Abstract | AIMS: To offer a detailed discussion of the issue of 'lack of critique' in the literature on spirituality in nursing. The discussion will include the limited use of sources from theology and religious studies and the demand to separate spirituality and religion and will go on to examine the consequences of the resulting approach. The drive for unique knowledge to further professionalisation and the demands of inclusiveness are suggested as possible reasons for the development of the current model. The dangers and pitfalls of definition are explored. The paper suggests that theology could provide insights into explaining spirituality. BACKGROUND: The last four decades have seen a proliferation of definitions of spirituality in the nursing literature. Recently, in response to their own concerns and prompts from outside the 'spirituality' community authors have suggested that we revisit this literature with a more critical stance. This paper is in response to that suggestion. During the course of a PhD supervised from a department of practical theology I have critically analysed the literature from several perspectives and this paper is one result of that review. DESIGN: Literature review. METHODS: Critical reflection on how spirituality has been defined. CONCLUSION: The lack of critique has produced a bias in the literature towards broad, generic, existential definitions which, together with the intentional divorce from religion and theology have led to definitions which have the tendency to result in a type of spiritual care which is indistinguishable from psychosocial care, hard to explain to patients and difficult to put into practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The acceptance of a diverse range of understandings of spirituality and a greater focus on practical ways of using it in nursing care are the direction the profession should be moving into. |
| Publication | Journal of Clinical Nursing |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Pages | 1666-1673 |
| Date | Jun 2009 |
| Journal Abbr | J Clin Nurs |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02707.x |
| ISSN | 1365-2702 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19646113 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 20:10:15 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 19646113 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Colleen Delaney |
| Abstract | PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop, refine, and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Spirituality Scale (SS). The SS is a holistic instrument that attempts to measure the beliefs, intuitions, lifestyle choices, practices, and rituals representative of the human spiritual dimension and is designed to guide spiritual interventions. METHOD: A researcher-developed instrument was designed to assess spirituality from a holistic perspective. Items were generated to measure four conceptualized domains of spirituality. The SS was completed by 240 adults with chronic illness. FINDINGS: Psychometric analysis of the SS provided strong evidence of the reliability and validity of the instrument. Three factors of spirituality that supported the theoretical framework were identified: Self-Discovery, Relationships, and Eco-Awareness. IMPLICATIONS: These findings can assist in facilitating the inclusion of spirituality in health care and have the potential to provide a transforming vision for nursing care and a vehicle to evoking optimal patient outcomes. |
| Publication | Journal of Holistic Nursing: Official Journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 145-167; discussion 168-171 |
| Date | Jun 2005 |
| Journal Abbr | J Holist Nurs |
| DOI | 10.1177/0898010105276180 |
| ISSN | 0898-0101 |
| Short Title | The Spirituality Scale |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15883463 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 15:00:42 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 15883463 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop, refine, and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Spirituality Scale (SS). Method: Items were generated to measure four conceptualized domains of spirituality. The SS was completed by 240 adults with chronic illness. Findings: Psychometric analysis of the SS provided strong evidence of the reliability and validity of the instrument.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | J D Emblen |
| Abstract | The nursing literature published from 1963 to 1989 was screened for definitions to distinguish the concept of religion from that of spirituality. Following concept analysis procedures, definitions were selected from journal articles and textbooks and the key words in the definitions were listed in order of frequency. In definitions of religion, six words appeared most frequently--system, beliefs, organized, person, worship, practices; in definitions of spirituality, nine words appeared most frequently--personal, life, principle, animator, being, God (god), quality, relationship, transcendent. Only the word person(al) appeared on both lists. Using these two lists, the words (defining attributes) that appeared most frequently were formed as consensus definitions. It was concluded that spirituality is currently the broader term and may subsume aspects of religion. If these concepts are not clearly defined, the care related to personal life principles, relationships, and transcendent experiences may be confused with care for personal beliefs and worship practices. |
| Publication | Journal of Professional Nursing: Official Journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 41-47 |
| Date | 1992 Jan-Feb |
| Journal Abbr | J Prof Nurs |
| ISSN | 8755-7223 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1573115 |
| Accessed | Thu Nov 12 17:13:03 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 1573115 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
The nursing literature published from 1963 to 1989 was screened for definitions to distinguish the concept of religion from that of spirituality. Following concept analysis procedures, definitions were selected from journal articles and textbooks and the key words in the definitions were listed in order of frequency.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Shelley Dean Kilpatrick |
| Author | Andrew J Weaver |
| Author | Michael E McCullough |
| Author | Christina Puchalski |
| Author | David B Larson |
| Author | Judith C Hays |
| Author | Carol J Farran |
| Author | Kevin J Flannelly |
| Abstract | Background: A series of systematic reviews has revealed relatively high levels of interest in religion and spirituality in different nursing specialties, but not in general nursing research journals. Purpose: To identify the extent to which spirituality and religiousness were measured in all quantitative and qualitative research articles published in Research in Nursing and Health, Nursing Research, Advances in Nursing Science (ANS), and Image: The Journal of Nursing Scholarship from 1995 to 1999. Methods: A full-text search was conducted of ANS and Image using the Ovid search system. Nursing Research and Research in Nursing and Health were hand searched for spiritual/religious measures. Characteristics of selected studies, the measures taken, and their uses were coded for data analysis. Results: A total of 564 research studies were identified, of which 67 (11.9%) included at least one measure of spirituality or religiousness. A significant difference was found between the percentage of qualitative and quantitative studies that contained measures of these concepts. Of the 119 qualitative studies, 23 (19.3%) contained a measure of religion or spirituality, compared to 44 of the 445 (9.9%) quantitative studies. Nominal indicators of religious affiliation were the most commonly used measures in the quantitative studies and measures of religion and spirituality were rarely used in the analyses. Although only a few quantitative or qualitative studies intended to focus on religion or spirituality, these themes often emerged spontaneously in the qualitative research. Conclusions: Research in Nursing and Health, Advances in Nursing Science, Nursing Research, and Image: The Journal of Nursing Scholarship all published research measuring spirituality and religiousness during the time-period studies. The rate at which spirituality and religion appeared in these nursing research articles is substantially higher than that found in most fields outside of nursing. Even more frequent inclusion of spiritual and religious variables and richer measures of spirituality and religiousness would help to increase the available scientific information on the role of spirituality and religion in nursing care. |
| Publication | Journal of Religion and Health |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 55-66 |
| Date | 2005 |
| Journal Abbr | J Relig Health |
| ISSN | 0022-4197 |
| Short Title | A review of spiritual and religious measures in nursing research journals |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16285132 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 15:28:40 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 16285132 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
Purpose: To identify the extent to which spirituality and religiousness were measured in all quantitative and qualitative research articles published in Research in Nursing and Health, Nursing Research, Advances in Nursing Science (ANS), and Image: The Journal of Nursing Scholarship from 1995 to 1999.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Mary Jo Kreitzer |
| Author | Cynthia R Gross |
| Author | On-anong Waleekhachonloet |
| Author | Maryanne Reilly-Spong |
| Author | Marcia Byrd |
| Abstract | PURPOSE: This article describes a factor analysis of a 22-item version of the Serenity Scale, a tool that measures spirituality and well-being. METHOD: A sample of 87 participants, enrolled in a National Institutes of Health-funded clinical trial examining the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction on symptom management post-solid organ transplantation, completed the abbreviated instrument. FINDINGS: Exploratory factor analysis yielded three subscales: acceptance, inner haven, and trust. The Serenity Scale was positively associated with positive affect and mindful awareness and inversely related to negative affect, anxiety, depression, health distress and transplant-related stress. CONCLUSIONS: Serenity, a dimension of spirituality that is secular and distinct from religious orientation or religiosity, shows promise as a tool that could be used to measure outcomes of nursing interventions that improve health and well-being. IMPLICATIONS: Spirituality is recognized as being an essential component of holistic nursing practice. As nurses expand their use of spiritual interventions, it is important to document outcomes related to nursing care. The Serenity Scale appears to capture a dimension of spirituality, a state of acceptance, inner haven and trust that is distinct from other spirituality instruments. |
| Publication | Journal of Holistic Nursing: Official Journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 7-16 |
| Date | Mar 2009 |
| Journal Abbr | J Holist Nurs |
| DOI | 10.1177/0898010108327212 |
| ISSN | 0898-0101 |
| Short Title | The brief serenity scale |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19176898 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 19:50:54 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 19176898 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
Purpose: This article describes a factor analysis of a 22-item version of the Serenity Scale, a tool that measures spirituality and well-being. Findings: Exploratory factor analysis yielded three subscales: acceptance, inner haven, and trust. The Serenity Scale was positively associated with positive affect and mindful awareness and inversely related to negative affect, anxiety, depression, health distress and transplant-related stress.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Wilfred McSherry |
| Author | Keith Cash |
| Abstract | BACKGROUND: This paper explores the relationships that exist between the language used to describe spirituality within nursing and the appropriateness of constructing a universal definition acceptable to all individuals. 'Spirituality' is a term that is increasingly used in nursing but there may be problems about exactly what the term means and how it is interpreted and understood by both nurses and patients. AIM: The aim of the paper is to explore some of the commonly cited definitions to establish if the concept of spirituality could be termed 'universal'. METHOD: This paper presents a discussion, based upon a literature review, of the nursing and health care databases, combined with manual searches. The review demonstrates how the term spirituality is being constructed within nursing suggesting that there are numerous definitions each with several layers of meaning. FINDINGS: From the review the authors have developed 'a spiritual taxonomy' that may explain and accommodate the different layers of meaning found within nursing and health care definitions. At the extreme left there is a spirituality based on religious and theist ideals, while at the extreme right there is a spirituality based upon secular, humanistic, existential elements. A middle way is explained containing elements from both the left and right but not as fundamental or radical. CONCLUSION: The authors argue that because there are so many definitions with different layers of meanings, spirituality can imply different things depending upon an individual's personal interpretation or worldview. The results of the review suggest nursing is constructing a 'blanket' definition of spirituality, which has a broad, almost inexhaustible set of defining characteristics. If this approach continues then there is a danger that the word may become so broad in meaning that it loses any real significance. |
| Publication | International Journal of Nursing Studies |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 151-161 |
| Date | Feb 2004 |
| Journal Abbr | Int J Nurs Stud |
| ISSN | 0020-7489 |
| Short Title | The language of spirituality |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14725779 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 12:33:31 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 14725779 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
This paper explores the relationships that exist between the language used to describe spirituality within nursing and the appropriateness of constructing a universal definition acceptable to all individuals. From the review the authors have developed ‘a spiritual taxonomy’ that may explain and accommodate the different layers of meaning found within nursing and health care definitions.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Wilfred McSherry |
| Author | Keith Cash |
| Author | Linda Ross |
| Abstract | BACKGROUND: This research outlines some preliminary findings emerging from a grounded theory investigation into the 'meaning of spirituality'. These initial results raise some important questions about the terminology and language that nurses use regarding the term spirituality. It seems that many of the policy directives and statutory guidelines make two major assumptions regarding 'spirituality'. Firstly, patients and nurses are aware and understand the concept, and secondly, patients may require their spiritual needs to be met. These preliminary findings suggest that a dichotomy is emerging between professional assumption and patient expectation regarding the meaning of spirituality. AIM: The study had one broad research aim, to gain a deeper insight into how patients, nurses, and people from the major world religions understand the concept of 'spirituality'. DESIGN: A qualitative research design was used involving a grounded theory method of inquiry. It was felt that this qualitative method would aid the investigation of this subjective dimension of peoples' existence, enabling existing theoretical constructs and arguments to be tested. METHODS: The constant comparative method was used throughout the data collection and analysis. Analysis was undertaken at two levels, 'overview analysis' and 'line-by-line analysis'. This enabled the creation of categories and central themes. RESULTS: Constant comparative analysis resulted in the formation of several categories and central themes. Two categories presented and discussed in detail are 'definitions of spirituality', and 'diverse perceptions of spirituality'. CONCLUSION: It would seem that there is now an urgent need for nursing to evaluate and perhaps adjust its vision regarding what constitutes spirituality. Such an approach may serve to reduce the gap between policy and public expectation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It seems that there may be no 'precise' terminology associated with the language used to define spirituality, raising possible implications for nursing practice and nurse education. |
| Publication | Journal of Clinical Nursing |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Pages | 934-941 |
| Date | Nov 2004 |
| Journal Abbr | J Clin Nurs |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2004.01006.x |
| ISSN | 0962-1067 |
| Short Title | Meaning of spirituality |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15533099 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 13:07:01 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 15533099 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
This research outlines some preliminary findings emerging from a grounded theory investigation into the ‘meaning of spirituality’. These initial results raise some important questions about the terminology and language that nurses use regarding the term spirituality.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Wilfred McSherry |
| Author | Peter Draper |
| Author | Don Kendrick |
| Abstract | A postal survey, containing a questionnaire and covering letter, was distributed to 1029 ward-based nurses, of all grades, in a Large NHS Trust in an attempt to establish how nurses perceived spirituality and spiritual care. A response rate of 55.3% (n = 549) was obtained. Part of the questionnaire contained "The Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale" (SSCRS) a newly constructed instrument to aid the investigation and measurement of Spirituality and Spiritual Care. Factor Analysis was performed in an attempt to establish construct validity and to identify any underlying associations between items in the scale. It suggested a 17-item instrument with four factor-based subscales: Spirituality, Spiritual Care, Religiosity and Personalised Care. The 17-item SSCRS demonstrated a reasonable level of internal consistency reliability, having a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.64. Confirmatory Factor Analysis is recommended in order to cross-validate and refine this new Rating Scale. |
| Publication | International Journal of Nursing Studies |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Pages | 723-734 |
| Date | Sep 2002 |
| Journal Abbr | Int J Nurs Stud |
| ISSN | 0020-7489 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12231029 |
| Accessed | Thu Nov 12 21:53:32 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 12231029 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
A postal survey, containing a questionnaire and covering letter, was distributed to 1029 ward-based nurses, of all grades, in a Large NHS Trust in an attempt to establish how nurses perceived spirituality and spiritual care. Part of the questionnaire contained “The Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale” (SSCRS) a newly constructed instrument to aid the investigation and measurement of Spirituality and Spiritual Care.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | A Narayanasamy |
| Abstract | In this paper a review of spirituality as applied to nursing is carried out. In doing so, it is shown that the holistic understanding of spirituality has been derived almost exclusively from the Christian theological tradition. Whilst recognizing the importance of this tradition, the relatively unknown element, that is, the biological basis of spirituality as advanced by empirical research on spiritual awareness is brought to the debate in this review. Following the review, an operational definition of spirituality embracing its biological roots is provided to highlight its significance to nursing. |
| Publication | International Journal of Nursing Studies |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 117-125 |
| Date | Apr 1999 |
| Journal Abbr | Int J Nurs Stud |
| ISSN | 0020-7489 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10376221 |
| Accessed | Thu Nov 12 20:25:58 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 10376221 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
In this paper a review of spirituality as applied to nursing is carried out. In doing so, it is shown that the holistic understanding of spirituality has been derived almost exclusively from the Christian theological tradition. Whilst recognizing the importance of this tradition, the relatively unknown element, that is, the biological basis of spirituality as advanced by empirical research on spiritual awareness is brought to the debate in this review.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | John Paley |
| Abstract | Several authors have commented on my reductionist account of spirituality in nursing, describing it variously as naive, disrespectful, demeaning, paternalistic, arrogant, reifying, indicative of a closed mind, akin to positivism, a procrustean bed, a perpetuation of fraud, a matter of faith, an attempt to secure ideological power, and a perspective that puritanically forbids interesting philosophical topics. In responding to this list of felonies and misdemeanours, I try to justify my excesses by arguing that the critics have not really understood what reductionism involves; that rejecting reductionism is not the same as providing arguments against it; that the ethical dilemmas allegedly associated with reductionist views are endemic to health care; that 'reifying' is what believers in the spiritual realm do; and that the closed minds belong to those who dismiss reductionist science without having studied its achievements. |
| Publication | Nursing Philosophy: An International Journal for Healthcare Professionals |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 178-190 |
| Date | Jul 2010 |
| Journal Abbr | Nurs Philos |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1466-769X.2010.00439.x |
| ISSN | 1466-769X |
| Short Title | Spirituality and reductionism |
| Accessed | Wed Jul 7 10:20:46 2010 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 20536767 |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:03:48 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:03:48 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Barbara Pesut |
| Author | Marsha Fowler |
| Author | Elizabeth J Taylor |
| Author | Sheryl Reimer-Kirkham |
| Author | Richard Sawatzky |
| Abstract | AIMS: To discuss some of the challenges of conceptualising spirituality and religion for healthcare practice. BACKGROUND: With the growing interest in spirituality in healthcare, has come the inevitable task of trying to conceptualise spirituality, a daunting task given the amorphous nature of spirituality, the changing understandings of spirituality among individuals and the diverse globalised society within which this task is taking place. Spirituality's relationship to religion is a particularly challenging point of debate. DESIGN: Critical review. CONCLUSIONS: Three social and historical conditions - located in the context of Western thought - have contributed to current conceptualisations of spirituality and religion: the diminishment of the social authority of religion as a result of the Enlightenment focus on reason, the rise of a postmodern spirituality emphasising spiritual experience and current tensions over the ideological and political roles of religion in society. The trend to minimise the social influence of religion is a particular Western bias that seems to ignore the global megatrend of the resurgence of religion. Current conceptualisations are critiqued on the following grounds: that they tend to be ungrounded from a rich history of theological and philosophical thought, that a particular form of elitist spirituality is emerging and that the individualistic emphasis in recent conceptualisations of spirituality diminishes the potential for societal critique and transformation while opening the door for economic and political self interest. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Constructing adequate conceptualisations of spirituality and religion for clinical practice entails grounding them in the wealth of centuries of philosophical and theological thinking, ensuring that they represent the diverse society that nursing serves and anchoring them within a moral view of practice. |
| Publication | Journal of Clinical Nursing |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 21 |
| Pages | 2803-2810 |
| Date | Nov 2008 |
| Journal Abbr | J Clin Nurs |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02344.x |
| ISSN | 1365-2702 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18665876 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 19:07:07 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 18665876 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
Three social and historical conditions - located in the context of Western thought - have contributed to current conceptualisations of spirituality and religion: the diminishment of the social authority of religion as a result of the Enlightenment focus on reason, the rise of a postmodern spirituality emphasising spiritual experience and current tensions over the ideological and political roles of religion in society.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | John R Phillips |
| Abstract | The universality of Rogers' science is discussed within the context of science and religion with an emphasis on an alive universe. Barrett's power theory is presented as an exemplar of the universality of Rogers' science. The implications of an alive universe are discussed. Rogers and Barrett are recognized for their contributions to nursing science and the sacred alive universe. |
| Publication | Nursing Science Quarterly |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 55-59 |
| Date | Jan 2010 |
| Journal Abbr | Nurs Sci Q |
| DOI | 10.1177/0894318409353795 |
| ISSN | 1552-7409 |
| Accessed | Sat Jan 23 20:47:25 2010 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 20026729 |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Becky Salmon |
| Author | Cheryl Bruick-Sorge |
| Author | Sarah J. Beckman |
| Author | Sanna Boxley-Harges |
| Abstract | Spirituality has different meanings to individuals from diverse backgrounds with minimal definitions documented in academe. This qualitative research study was to determine the evolution of student nurses' concepts of spirituality by comparing their definitions on admission and at completion of their nursing education. Student responses are discussed. |
| Publication | Holistic Nursing Practice |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 73-78 |
| Date | 2010 March/April |
| Journal Abbr | Holist Nurs Pract |
| DOI | 10.1097/HNP.0b013e3181d39aba |
| ISSN | 1550-5138 |
| Accessed | Thu Mar 4 08:43:59 2010 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 20186017 |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Loralee Sessanna |
| Author | Deborah Finnell |
| Author | Mary Ann Jezewski |
| Abstract | Spirituality has become an increasingly popular concept among the nursing and health-related literature. The purpose for conducting this concept analysis, guided by Walker and Avant's methodology, was to (a) examine how spirituality has been used within the current body of nursing and health-related literature, (b) clarify the meaning of spirituality by discovering what this concept's current critical attributes/characteristics are, and (c) propose a definition of spirituality based on the concept analysis findings. A total of 90 references were reviewed, including 73 nursing and health-related references. Concept analysis findings revealed that spirituality was defined within four main themes in the nursing and health-related literature: (a) spirituality as religious systems of beliefs and values (spirituality = religion); (b) spirituality as life meaning, purpose, and connection with others; (c) spirituality as nonreligious systems of beliefs and values; and (d) spirituality as metaphysical or transcendental phenomena. |
| Publication | Journal of Holistic Nursing: Official Journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 252-262; discussion 263-264 |
| Date | Dec 2007 |
| Journal Abbr | J Holist Nurs |
| DOI | 10.1177/0898010107303890 |
| ISSN | 0898-0101 |
| Short Title | Spirituality in nursing and health-related literature |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18029966 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 18:19:28 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 18029966 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
The purpose for conducting this concept analysis, guided by Walker and Avant’s methodology, was to (a) examine how spirituality has been used within the current body of nursing and health-related literature, (b) clarify the meaning of spirituality by discovering what this concept’s current critical attributes/characteristics are, and (c) propose a definition of spirituality based on the concept analysis findings.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Amy Rex Smith |
| Abstract | No abstract available anywhere. |
| Publication | Journal of Christian Nursing: A Quarterly Publication of Nurses Christian Fellowship |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 216-222 |
| Date | 2009 Oct-Dec |
| Journal Abbr | J Christ Nurs |
| ISSN | 0743-2550 |
| Short Title | Nursing and spirituality |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19824578 |
| Accessed | Tue Oct 27 09:49:23 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 19824578 |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:05:21 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:05:21 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Ruth A Tanyi |
| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Rhetoric about spirituality and nursing has greatly increased, as scientific-based approaches are not fully able to address many human problems, such as persistent pain. Despite the renewed interest and growing literature on spirituality, there is no consensus on a definition of this concept. There is also ambiguity on how this concept is incorporated into nursing practice, research, and education. AIM: This paper aims to contribute toward clarification of the meaning of spirituality in relevance to health and nursing today through a conceptual analysis process. METHODS: Information was obtained through dictionary definitions and electronic database searches of literature on spirituality spanning the past 30 years. The criteria for selection included scholarly articles and books with a definition of spirituality, and research studies that investigated the meaning of spirituality to individuals' health. A total of 76 articles and 19 books were retrieved for this analysis. FINDINGS: Spirituality is an inherent component of being human, and is subjective, intangible, and multidimensional. Spirituality and religion are often used interchangeably, but the two concepts are different. Spirituality involves humans' search for meaning in life, while religion involves an organized entity with rituals and practices about a higher power or God. Spirituality may be related to religion for certain individuals, but for others, such as an atheist, it may not be. CONCLUSION: In order to provide clarity and enhance understanding of this concept, this analysis delineates antecedents, attributes, constructed case examples, empirical referents, and consequences of spirituality. A proposed definition of spirituality emerged from this process, which may be applied broadly. Implications for nursing practice, education, and research are discussed. |
| Publication | Journal of Advanced Nursing |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 500-509 |
| Date | Sep 2002 |
| Journal Abbr | J Adv Nurs |
| ISSN | 0309-2402 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12175360 |
| Accessed | Thu Nov 12 21:46:54 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 12175360 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
This paper aims to contribute toward clarification of the meaning of spirituality in relevance to health and nursing today through a conceptual analysis process.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Susan T Tinley |
| Author | Anita Y Kinney |
| Abstract | Since the turn of the century, there has been an expanded interest in the place that spirituality has in nursing practice, education, and research. The purpose of this article is to examine the study of spirituality from the perspective of 3 philosophical paradigms: empiricism, interpretivism, and poststructuralism. The strengths and weaknesses of the paradigms are identified through a review of an exemplar article for each. Each paradigm provides a unique approach to the development of knowledge, and thus makes its own contribution to the understanding of spirituality. It is the researcher's responsibility to identify the appropriate paradigm for the question. |
| Publication | ANS. Advances in Nursing Science |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 71-80 |
| Date | 2007 Jan-Mar |
| Journal Abbr | ANS Adv Nurs Sci |
| ISSN | 1550-5014 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17299286 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 17:14:12 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 17299286 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
The purpose of this article is to examine the study of spirituality from the perspective of 3 philosophical paradigms: empiricism, interpretivism, and poststructuralism. The strengths and weaknesses of the paradigms are identified through a review of an exemplar article for each. Each paradigm provides a unique approach to the development of knowledge, and thus makes its own contribution to the understanding of spirituality. It is the researcher’s responsibility to identify the appropriate paradigm for the question.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | G White |
| Abstract | The requirement of healthcare professionals to consider the whole person, including spirituality, is hampered by a lack of clarity about the nature of spirituality and spiritual care. A multidisciplinary cooperative inquiry group met during 1997 and 1998 to explore this issue. The aim of the group was to 'explore spirituality with a view to how that informs our work'. Group members understood spirituality to be a unique potential that forms an integral part of every human being. Key themes through which spirituality may be expressed are the search for meaning or purpose and a sense of connection. Outcomes of the inquiry included personal and professional development, increased recognition of spirituality and further training opportunities for other staff. |
| Publication | International Journal of Palliative Nursing |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue | 10 |
| Pages | 479-484 |
| Date | 2000 Nov-Dec |
| Journal Abbr | Int J Palliat Nurs |
| ISSN | 1357-6321 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12271246 |
| Accessed | Thu Nov 12 21:50:52 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 12271246 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 15:43:38 2011 |
The requirement of healthcare professionals to consider the whole person, including spirituality, is hampered by a lack of clarity about the nature of spirituality and spiritual care. A multidisciplinary cooperative inquiry group met during 1997 and 1998 to explore this issue. The aim of the group was to ‘explore spirituality with a view to how that informs our work’.