RT Article
T1 Spiritual Pain: A Symptom in Search of a Clinical Definition
JF Journal of religion and health
VO 62
IS 3
SP 1920
OP 1932
A1 Illueca, Marta
A1 Bradshaw, Ylisabyth S.
A1 Carr, Daniel B.
LA English
PB Springer Science + Business Media B. V.
YR 2023
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1847047041
AB We conducted a literature search to identify and compare definitions of the experiential dimension of spiritual pain. Key databases were searched, up to the year 2021 inclusive, for papers with a definition of "spiritual" or "existential" pain/distress in a clinical setting. Of 144 hits, seven papers provided theoretical definitions/descriptions; none incorporated clinical observations or underlying pathophysiological constructs. Based on these findings, we propose a new definition for "spiritual pain" as a "self-identified experience of personal discomfort, or actual or potential harm, triggered by a threat to a person’s relationship with God or a higher power." Our updated definition can inform future studies in pain assessment and management.
K1 Pain management
K1 Palliative Care
K1 spiritual distress
K1 Spiritual pain
K1 Spirituality
DO 10.1007/s10943-022-01645-y