Spirituality and/or religious faith: A means for coping with the effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease?

Mary O'Brien, D Clark

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (journal)peer-review

    16 Citations (Scopus)
    534 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: The notion of spirituality/religious belief is recognized internationally as a domain within end-of-life care and is important in patients' and carers' quality-of-life. When faced with incurable illness, patients often become more philosophical about their life; many seek comfort in spiritual or religious philosophies. Our intention was to understand how personal spirituality and religious faith might help those living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND) cope with their impending death. METHOD: Unsolicited narratives (internet and print-published) written by individuals diagnosed with the terminal condition of ALS/MND were analyzed thematically. Narratives from 161 individuals diagnosed with ALS/MND written over a period of 37 years (from 1968 to 2005) were included. RESULTS: Our findings reveal that religious faith sustains and helps people to avoid despair, and personal spirituality helps them make sense of what is happening to them. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The use of personal narratives by people with ALS/MND has provided a vehicle for sharing their deepest spiritual and religious thoughts with others. The place of spirituality and religious faith within ALS/MND care should not be underestimated. Assessment of religious or spiritual needs should become a routine part of practice and is the responsibility of all members of the multidisciplinary team.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1603-1614
    Number of pages12
    JournalPalliative Support Care
    Volume13
    Issue number6
    Early online date8 Apr 2015
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2015

    Keywords

    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND)
    • Coping
    • Religious faith
    • Spirituality
    • Written narratives

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