The relationship between quality of life and spiritual fortitude in individuals with an intestinal stoma

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the relationship between quality of life and spiritual fortitude in individuals with an intestinal stoma. METHODS: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 66 individuals with an intestinal stoma between November 2024 and May 2025. Data were collected face-to-face in a hospital setting using the "Descriptive Characteristics Form," the "Stoma Quality of Life Scale," and the "Spiritual Fortitude Scale." Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The participants had a mean age of 61.71 ± 13.90 years; 53% were women, and 45.5% were primary school graduates. The mean total score for Stoma Quality of Life Scale was 52.21 (SD = 8.21), and the mean total score for Spiritual Fortitude was 33.79 (SD = 8.20). There was a significant association between the spiritual fortitude of individuals with an intestinal stoma and their quality of life (β = 0.261, R = 0.261, p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Nurses can provide spiritual counseling services to enhance the spiritual fortitude of individuals with an intestinal stoma. Future research should focus on nurses' competencies in spiritual counseling and the effectiveness of such services.