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Meaning‐in‐life in nursing‐home patients: a correlate with physical and emotional symptoms

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  • Gørill Haugan

Abstract

Aims and objectives To investigate the prevalence of physical and emotional symptoms and the associations between symptoms and meaning‐in‐life in a cognitively intact nursing‐home population. Background Meaning has been found to be a strong individual predictor of successful ageing and life satisfaction as well as an important psychological variable that promotes well‐being. Meaning serves as a mediating variable in both psychological and physical health. Design and methods The study employed a cross‐sectional design. Data were collected in 2008 and 2009 using the QLQ‐C15‐PAL quality‐of‐life questionnaire, the purpose‐in‐life test and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A total of 250 cognitively intact nursing‐home patients who met the inclusion criteria were approached and 202 attended. Results The prevalence of symptoms was fairly high, with fatigue (57%), pain (49%), constipation (43%) and dyspnoea (41%) as the most frequent physical symptoms, while 30% were depressed and 12% had anxiety. Significant correlations between meaning‐in‐life and symptom severity were displayed. Conclusions The level of symptom severity among cognitively intact nursing‐home patients is high, requiring highly competent staff nurses. Meaning‐in‐life might be an important resource in relation to a patient's physical and emotional health and global well‐being. Relevance to clinical practice Facilitating patients' meaning‐in‐life might help reducing symptom severity and fostering quality of life in cognitively intact nursing‐home patients. However, advancing staff nurses' competence in palliative care, symptom management and nurse–patient interaction is important for care quality and quality if life in nursing homes.

Suggested Citation

  • Gørill Haugan, 2014. "Meaning‐in‐life in nursing‐home patients: a correlate with physical and emotional symptoms," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(7-8), pages 1030-1043, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:23:y:2014:i:7-8:p:1030-1043
    DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12282
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    1. Neal Krause, 2009. "Meaning in Life and Mortality," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 64(4), pages 517-527.
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    1. Ingeborg Alexandersen & Berit Stjern & Regina Eide & Hege Selnes Haugdahl & Tove Engan Paulsby & Stine Borgen Lund & Gørill Haugan, 2019. "“Never in my mind to give up!” A qualitative study of long‐term intensive care patients’ inner strength and willpower—Promoting and challenging aspects," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(21-22), pages 3991-4003, November.
    2. Ju‐Yeun Kim & Young Whee Lee & Hwa‐Soon Kim & Eun‐Hyun Lee, 2019. "The mediating and moderating effects of meaning in life on the relationship between depression and quality of life in patients with dysphagia," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(15-16), pages 2782-2789, August.

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