title: Spiritual coping in rehabilitation - a comparative study: part 1.
abstract: 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). Data were collected from seven purposive samples during focus group sessions. Roy's Adaptation Model (1984) and Neuman's Systems Model (2010) guided the study. While acknowledging the limitations of this study, the findings presented in Part 2 identify commonalities in the spiritual coping of patients irrespective of cultural differences between Malta and Norway. A set of recommendations address clinical practice, education and further research.
authors: University of Malta, Malta.
authors: Donia
authors: D
authors: Baldacchino
authors: Kristina
authors: K
authors: Torskenaes
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Kalfoss
authors: Josette
authors: J
authors: Borg
authors: Aaron
authors: A
authors: Tonna
authors: Clifford
authors: C
authors: Debattista
authors: Neville
authors: N
authors: Decelis
authors: Rodianne
authors: R
authors: Mifsud
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D008319:Malta; D009664:Norway; D012046:Rehabilitation; D029181:Spirituality