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The Effect of Spiritual Care on Perceived Stress and Mental Health Among the Elderlies Living in Nursing Home

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of spiritual care on the perceived stress and mental health of the elderlies living in nursing home in Isfahan. This is a semi-experimental study with pretest and posttest design with control group. Ninety eligible elderlies living in the nursing home were divided into intervention and control groups through census and random allocation. The interventional spiritual care was conducted for the intervention group for 90 days. After conducting the spiritual care, the majority of the elderlies (62.22%) in the intervention group had a low perceived stress level and the majority of the subjects (64.44%) in the control group had a high perceived stress level. Therefore, after performing spiritual care, a significant difference was observed at the perceived stress level of the two groups (X2 = 3.22 and P = 0.001). The results of mental health level indicated that the mean score of the general health questionnaire was ranged between 10.95 and 27.2. After performing care, a significant difference was observed in mental health level of both groups, and 31.11% and 53.33% of the participants were suspected to general disorder in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Based on the results, there was a significant difference in the mental health level of both groups after the implementation of spiritual care (X2 = 6.56 and P = 0.001). Further, a significant negative correlation was found between the perceived stress and mental health (r = − 0.241 and P = 0.01). Considering the spiritual health as one of the health dimensions influencing the psychosocial variables of elderlies seems necessary. Policymakers and planners of health area contribute to the improvement of mental health level by using comprehensive care approach with an emphasis on the spiritual dimension of care for the elderly people.

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Acknowledgements

The authors want to express a special recognition to the elderlies living in nursing home in Isfahan who have participated in the data collection of this study, without whom the study could not be possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

    Mohammad Heidari

  2. Young Researchers and Elite Club, Abadeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abadeh, Iran

    Mansureh Ghodusi Borujeni

  3. Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Shokouh Kabirian Abyaneh

  4. Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Parvin Rezaei

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  1. Mohammad Heidari
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  2. Mansureh Ghodusi Borujeni
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  3. Shokouh Kabirian Abyaneh
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Correspondence to Mansureh Ghodusi Borujeni.

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After selecting the eligible participant, the researcher was introduced to them and the objectives of the study were elaborated for the participants. The informed consent was obtained from the subjects, and they were assured that their information will remain confidential.

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Heidari, M., Ghodusi Borujeni, M., Kabirian Abyaneh, S. et al. The Effect of Spiritual Care on Perceived Stress and Mental Health Among the Elderlies Living in Nursing Home. J Relig Health 58, 1328–1339 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00782-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00782-1

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