Quality of life and spirituality

Authors

  • Raquel Gehrke Panzini Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
  • Neusa Sicca da Rocha Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
  • Denise Ruschel Bandeira UFRGS; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia
  • Marcelo Pio de Almeida Fleck Grupo WHOQOL no Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832007000700014

Keywords:

Quality of life, spirituality, religiosity, assessment

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Spirituality has been considered as an important quality of life dimension. OBJECTIVES: To present a literature review about quality of life and spirituality, their association and measurement. METHODS: Search for title words in PsycINFO and PubMed/Medline database between 1979-2005. RESULTS: Quality of life is a new concept, that embraces and transcends the concept of health. It is composed by several domains or dimensions: physical, psychological, environmental, among others. Called "the missing measure in health", it has been defined as the individuals perception of his/her position in life, considering cultural and value systems in which he/she lives, and in relation to his/her goals, expectations, standards and worries. There are consistent evidences of the association between quality of life and spirituality/religiosity, obtained from studies with reasonable methodological rigor, using many variables to assess spirituality (for example: religious affiliation, prayer, and spiritual/religious coping). There are also several valid and reliable quality of life instruments that assess the spiritual/religious dimension. CONCLUSIONS: New studies are needed especially in Brazil. These studies will provide empirical data to be used to plan spiritually based health care interventions, aimingat a a better quality of life.

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Published

2007-01-01

Issue

Vol. 34 No. supl.1 (2007)

Section

Reviews of Literature

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Quality of life and spirituality . (2007). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo), 34(supl.1), 105-115. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832007000700014