Spiritual self-care practice and mindfulness among patients with cancer: A cross-sectional study
Asma Najmadini, Suad Dukhaykh, Wafaa Abed Ali Hattab, Juan Felipe Espinosa Cristia, Mansooreh Azizzadeh Forouzi, Mahlagha DehghanAbstract
Objectives
To determine the correlation between spiritual self-care practices and mindfulness among cancer patients in southeast Iran.
Methods
This descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 600 eligible cancer patients. Data were collected using three instruments: a demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the Spiritual Self-Care Practice Scale, and the Relaxation, Meditation, and Mindfulness Trait Tracker (RMMtm 3.1). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, employing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including multivariate regression analysis.
Results
The mean total score for spiritual self-care practice among cancer patients was 3.17 ± 1.15, which was above the questionnaire’s midpoint. Mindful emotion had the highest mean score (3.78 ± 1.67), followed by mindful focus (3.20 ± 1.57) and mindful relaxation (3.14 ± 1.65). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that 63.9% of the variance in spiritual self-care was explained by variables including mindful emotion ( β = 0.321, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.122, 0.181]), mindful quiet ( β = 0.213, p < 0.001, 95% CI: [0.065, 0.128]), and mindful transcendence ( β = 0.163, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.058, 0.139]). Income level, history of underlying disease, and disease stage also showed significant associations.
Significance of the results
The study findings indicate a significant relationship between spiritual self-care practice and dimensions of mindfulness. Nurses can address patients’ spiritual self-care practice needs by implementing the nursing process and empowering them through interventions that enhance mindfulness.