title: Spirituality expressed by caregivers of stroke survivors.
abstract: Thirty-six caregivers of stroke survivors who are new to that role participate in a Web-based support and education intervention over the course of a year. The authors use a secondary analysis of a total of 2,148 e-mail messages that these caregivers posted to the intervention's discussion group. Rigorous content analysis is used to analyze the narrative data coded to spirituality (n = 230 e-mails). Four themes emerge and are drawn to Friedemann's (1995) framework of systemic organization: (a) feeling the presence of a greater power, (b) practicing rituals, (c) being one with nature, and (d) interacting with family and friends. Spirituality gives these caregivers hope and sustenance, but it also helps them express themselves more fully during a difficult time of change. The e-mail discussion data presented here highlight the importance of increased awareness of addressing spirituality in nurse-client encounters and designing interventions to support the caregivers.
authors: University of Toledo, College of Nursing, OH, USA. lpierce@utoledo.edu
authors: Linda L
authors: LL
authors: Pierce
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: Steiner
authors: Heidi
authors: H
authors: Havens
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Tormoehlen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009013:Morale; D033262:Narration; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009820:Ohio; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology