Examining the correlation between spiritual well-being and perceived stress levels among relatives of patients admitted to the intensive care unit

This descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study sought to evaluate the relationship between spiritual well-being and perceived stress levels among relatives of patients admitted to the intensive care unit. The study population comprised relatives of patients hospitalized in the Surgical and Internal Medicine Intensive Care Units at Rize State Hospital. A sample of 247 patient relatives, who met the inclusion criteria, participated in the study from 02.03.2024, to 20.12.2024. Data collection was conducted face-to-face utilizing the "Descriptive Characteristics Form," the "Three-Factor Spiritual Well-Being Scale," and the "Perceived Stress Scale." Statistical analyses were performed using independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis H, Pearson product-moment, and Spearman correlation tests. The scores of the patients' relatives on the sub-dimensions of the Three-Factor Spiritual Well-Being Scale were as follows: transcendence 63.47±3.69 (min: 39, max: 75), harmony with nature 29.83±2.26 (min: 17, max: 35), and anomie 24.68±2.39 (min: 15, max: 30); the total score average was 117.98±5.12 (min: 81, max: 135). The study identified that variables such as education level, profession, and television viewing habits of the patient's relatives significantly influenced their spiritual well-being levels (p<0.05). The mean scores of the patient's relatives on the sub-dimensions of the Perceived Stress Scale were: insufficient self-efficacy perception 11.72±2.60 (min: 8, max: 15), and perception of stress/discomfort 16.64±3.07 (min: 10, max: 25); the total mean score was 28.36±4.94 (min: 20, max: 39). The perceived stress among the patients' relatives was moderate, with the scores of the stress sub-dimensions, insufficient self-efficacy, and stress/discomfort perception, being evenly distributed. The insufficient self-efficacy perception sub-dimension of the Perceived Stress Scale exhibited significant variation according to cardiovascular system diseases (p<0.05). The mean spiritual well-being score of the patients' relatives was high. However, no statistically significant relationship was observed between the spiritual well-being of the patients' relatives and their perceived stress levels (p>0.05). In-service training on the spiritual needs and stress levels of patients' relatives is recommended for healthcare professionals working in intensive care.