Nurses' and caregivers' definition of spirituality from the Christian perspective: a comparative study between Malta and Norway.

Aim: The aim of this cross-sectional comparative exploratory study was to explore the term spirituality as defined by four groups of nurses and two groups of caregivers from Malta and Norway.

Background: Spirituality is a complex subjective concept which may or may not contain religiosity. Several factors may influence the individual's interpretation with implications to nursing care and nursing management.

Spiritual coping in rehabilitation- a comparative study: part 2.

Spiritual coping, which may or may not contain religiosity, may enhance adaptation of clients with chronic illness. Part 1 of this article (Baldacchino et al, 2013) presented the research methodology of this cross-sectional comparative study, which explored the spiritual coping of clients with chronic illness receiving rehabilitation services in Malta (n=44) (lower limb amputation: n=10, chronic heart disease: n=9, osteoarthritis in an institution: n=10 and in the community: n=15) and Norway (n=16) (post-hip/shoulder surgery: n=5; chronic heart disease: n=5; chronic pain: n=6). Data were collected from seven purposive samples by focus groups.

Spiritual coping in rehabilitation - a comparative study: part 1.

Chronic illness is defined as a long-term disease that challenges a person's physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing. However, individuals may adapt to their condition by adopting spiritual coping strategies that may or may not include religiosity. Part 1 of this article presents the methodology of this cross-sectional comparative study, which explored the spiritual coping of patients with chronic illness receiving rehabilitation services in Malta (n=44: lower limb amputation n=10; chronic heart disease n=9; osteoarthritis-in an institution n=10 and in the community n=15); and in Norway (n=16: post-hip/shoulder surgery n=5; chronic heart disease n=5; chronic pain n=6).

Psychology and theology meet: illness appraisal and spiritual coping.

This descriptive exploratory study explored illness appraisal and spiritual coping of three groups of individuals with life-threatening illness. These were hospice clients with cancer (Ca; n = 10), clients with first myocardial infarction (MI; n = 6), and parents of children with cystic fibrosis (CF; n = 16). Qualitative data were collected by audiotaped face-to-face interviews (parents) and focus groups (MI and Ca).