Influence of intestinal stoma on spiritual quality of life of U.S. veterans.
OBJECTIVE
To examine spiritual quality of life (QOL) of veterans with intestinal ostomies.


METHODS
Mixed-method cross-sectional.


METHODS
Male veterans with total scores in the upper (n = 59) and lower (n = 61) quartiles of the City of Hope Quality-of-Life-Ostomy survey provided spiritual QOL data. Analyses included chi-square and analysis of variance with significance set at p < .05. Content analysis was used to explicate narratives and focus groups.


RESULTS
The high spiritual QOL group was more likely to be married, older, and report more years since surgery (each p < .0001). Upper quartile participants had more favorable scores for several spiritual QOL domains (all p < .0001). Qualitative comments reflected high or low total QOL scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Spiritual QOL is influenced by an intestinal stoma. Qualitative comments lend insight into the meaning of spirituality items. Findings can assist in the provision of holistic care in this population.
Baldwin
Carol M
CM
Arizona State University College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation, Phoenix, AZ 85004-0698, USA. carol.baldwin@asu.edu
Grant
Marcia
M
Wendel
Christopher
C
Rawl
Susan
S
Schmidt
C Max
CM
Ko
Clifford
C
Krouse
Robert S
RS
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004766:Enterostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D054526:Men's Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data