Spiritual Well-being Among Palliative Care Patients With Different Religious Affiliations: A Multicenter Korean Study

Abstract Context Spiritual well-being (SWB) is very important in palliative care patients. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the SWB among palliative care patients in Korea with different religious affiliations and to identify the correlates of SWB. Methods This study is a cross-sectional, multicenter study involving hospitalized patients seen by palliative care teams. We collected data on basic clinicodemographic characteristics, factors related to religion (meaningful religious events, religious activities such as attending worship, individual spiritual activities such as prayer), overall quality of life, and SWB. SWB was measured using Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Spirituality 12. We examined the differences in SWB among patients who reported themselves as Protestants, Catholics, Buddhists, and having no religious affiliations. Results Among the 202 patients enrolled, 69 (34.2%), 48 (23.8%), 43 (21.3%), and 42 (20.8%) persons were Protestants, were Catholics, were Buddhists, and had no religious affiliation, respectively. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Spirituality 12 was highest among Protestants, followed by Catholics, Buddhists, and those without religious affiliation (29.8 vs. 27.0 vs. 23.2 vs. 16.3, P P P P P P  = 0.002). Conclusion Although faith practices may be particularly helpful to improve spiritual well-being among Christians, further research is needed to determine what individual spiritual activities can support non-Christians.