Factors associated with the core dimensions of spiritual health among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Aims

To investigate the level of spiritual health in older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from the core dimensions and to explore its associated factors.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

Participants were recruited from four hospitals between September 2020 and June 2021, using a convenience sampling. Older patients with COPD (n = 162) completed the demographic and disease-related information questionnaires, Function Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Spiritual Scale, 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, General Self-efficacy Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, COPD Assessment Test, 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale and modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses, t-tests, one-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression models were used.

Results

Older patients with COPD have a moderate level of spiritual health. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that psychological resilience, general self-efficacy, social support, symptom burden and monthly income were associated with the core dimensions of spiritual health.

Conclusion

Chinese older patients with COPD have a moderate level of spiritual health. Psychological resilience, general self-efficacy, social support, monthly income and symptom burden were associated with the core dimensions of spiritual health.

Impact

This study is the first to investigate the level of spiritual health in older patients with COPD from the core dimensions and to explore its associated factors, providing a basis for developing spiritual intervention programs. Our findings can help us realize that intervention strategies of psychological resilience, general self-efficacy and social support can all be used to enhance spiritual health. Nurses should focus on the spiritual health of older COPD patients with high symptom burden and low monthly income.

Patient or Public Contribution

Although we did not directly involve patients and the public because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the results of the study will be disseminated to patients and the public through WeChat and seminars.