A Platform for Nursing Research on Spirituality and Religiosity: Definitions and Measures

Marlene Z. Cohen, Lyn M. Holley, Steven P. Wengel, Rabbi Mendel Katzman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Spirituality or religiousness is important across the health trajectory, from promoting health and preventing disease, to coping with illness and end of life. Research on the relationship of religiousness or spirituality to health spans more than one discipline and applies many definitions and measures. The purpose of this multidisciplinary work is to facilitate research by nurses who seek to investigate the relationship between health and religiousness or spirituality, and provide evidence-based guidance for nursing practice. Senior researchers summarize the history of inquiry on this topic, discuss particular and persistent challenges posed by definitions of religion and spirituality, describe selected measures that have enjoyed wide application, and make recommendations for consideration by nurse researchers. Use of existing knowledge to select variables, definitions, and measures, and to link research questions and findings to the larger body of current inquiry, will advance nursing practice closer to fulfilling Nightingale's ideals for effective care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)795-817
Number of pages23
JournalWestern journal of nursing research
Volume34
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2012

Keywords

  • health behavior
  • literature synthesis
  • religiosity
  • spirituality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nursing(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A Platform for Nursing Research on Spirituality and Religiosity: Definitions and Measures'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this