Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
BACKGROUND: Family caregivers experience spiritual and existential concerns while caring for their terminally ill family members. AIM: To evaluate and synthesise studies on spirituality among family caregivers in palliative care. DESIGN: An integrative literature review of peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2016. SAMPLE: Participants were family caregivers (parents, spouses, relatives or friends) caring for an adult (age>18 years) family member with a terminal illness in a palliative care setting. RESULTS: Data from 26 published research papers were systematically analysed. Five themes were identified regarding spirituality and family caregiving: a close and meaningful connection, spirituality as a way of coping, spiritual needs and expressions among family caregivers, spirituality to transcend fears, and spirituality in family caregivers' decision-making. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses are encouraged to explore the spirituality and spiritual experiences of family caregivers to support their spiritual wellbeing while caring for their terminally ill family members.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Lalani et al. (2018) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: