Spiritual distress of military veterans at the end of life.
OBJECTIVE
Although combat experiences can have a profound impact on individuals' spirituality, there is a dearth of research in this area. Our recent study indicates that one unique spiritual need of veterans who are at the end of life is to resolve distress caused by combat-related events that conflict with their personal beliefs. This study sought to gain an understanding of chaplains' perspectives on this type of spiritual need, as well as the spiritual care that chaplains provide to help veterans ease this distress.


METHODS
We individually interviewed five chaplains who have provided spiritual care to veterans at the end of life in a Veterans Administration hospital. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed based on "grounded theory."


RESULTS
Chaplains reported that they frequently encounter veterans at the end of life who are still suffering from thoughts or images of events that occurred during their military career. Although some veterans are hesitant to discuss their experiences, chaplains reported that they have had some success with helping the veterans to open up. Additionally, chaplains reported using both religious (e.g., confessing sins) and nonreligious approaches (e.g., recording military experience) to help veterans to heal.


CONCLUSIONS
Our pilot study provides some insight into the spiritual distress that many military veterans may be experiencing, as well as methods that a chaplain can employ to help these veterans. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and to examine the value of integrating the chaplain service into mental health care for veterans.
VA Boston Healthcare System,Boston,Massachusetts.
Bei-Hung
BH
Chang
Providence VA Medical Center,Providence,Rhode Island.
Nathan R
NR
Stein
VA Boston Healthcare System,Boston,Massachusetts.
Lara M
LM
Skarf
D002977:Clergy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013140:Spiritualism / Q000523:psychology*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D000067453:War Exposure
End of life; Religion; Spiritual distress; Spirituality; Veterans; War