Investigating the Effects of Spiritual Care on Death Anxiety: A Systematic Review

Hossein Khani, Mohammad; Abdollahi, Zahra; Barahooei Noori , Marzieh; Taklif, Mohammad Hossein; Farid, Negin

Volume 17 - Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics IJMEHM 2024, 17 - Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics : 1-2 | Back to browse issues page

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Hossein Khani M, Abdollahi Z, Barahooei Noori M, Taklif M H, Farid N. Investigating the Effects of Spiritual Care on Death Anxiety: A Systematic Review. IJMEHM 2024; 17 (S1) :1-2
URL: http://ijme.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6988-en.html

Investigating the Effects of Spiritual Care on Death Anxiety: A Systematic Review

Mohammad Hossein Khani¹, Zahra Abdollahi², Marzieh Barahooei Noori³, Mohammad Hossein Taklif⁴, Negin Farid ^*⁵

1- Master's degree student in nursing, Student Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Master's student, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
3- Master's student, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
4- Marine Medicine Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5- Master's student in Medical Surgical Nursing, Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: (933 Views)

Death anxiety, characterized by persistent fear of death, is a significant psychological burden. Spiritual care, encompassing compassionate listening, fostering trust, and addressing spiritual and existential concerns, has the potential to alleviate this anxiety. This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of spiritual care interventions on death anxiety in various patient populations. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using keywords such as "spiritual care," "death anxiety," "spirituality," and "patients" in major databases, including Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Irandoc, SID, Magiran, and Google Scholar. The search included publications in English and Persian with no time limitations. After screening and removing duplicates, eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Ethical considerations, including minimizing bias in the selection, extraction, and analysis of evidence, were adhered to throughout the review process. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews. The findings suggest a potential positive impact of spiritual care on reducing death anxiety. Studies conducted among patients with chronic kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke demonstrated that spiritual care interventions, including individual counseling and group support, can effectively alleviate death anxiety and improve overall well-being. However, some studies, particularly those involving patients with cardiac problems and gastrointestinal cancer, did not show a significant reduction in death anxiety. Furthermore, research conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the potential effectiveness of tele-nursing interventions for providing spiritual care and alleviating death anxiety in older adults. This review provides evidence suggesting that spiritual care interventions may be effective in reducing death anxiety in certain patient populations. Further research is warranted to investigate the effectiveness of different spiritual care modalities across diverse patient groups, including those with chronic illnesses, terminal diseases, and those facing end-of-life care.

Keywords: Spiritual care, Spirituality, Death anxiety, Patients, Systematic review

Full-Text [PDF 375 kb] (241 Downloads)

Type of Study: Poster | Subject: Health Ethics Congress (11th) - Poster Presentation
Received: 2025/07/16 | Revised: 2026/01/12 | Accepted: 2024/12/23 | Published: 2024/12/23