Dimensions of Spiritual Needs Among Older Adults Receiving Community Nursing Care: A Cross-Sectional Study

^¹Community Nursing Service, Health Center of Osijek-Baranja County, Park kralja Petra Krešimira IV 6, Osijek, 31000, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia
²Department of Cardiology, Clinical Hospital Center Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, Osijek, 31000, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia
³Department of Oncology, Clinical Hospital Center Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, Osijek, 31000, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia

⁴Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Başkent University, Bağlıca Campus, Fatih Sultan Mahallesi, Eskişehir Yolu 18. km, Ankara, 06790, Turkey 
⁵Department of Nursing and Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Crkvena Street 21, Osijek, 31000, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia
⁶Healthcare Institution Jadranka Plužarić, Otokara Keršovanija Street 33, Osijek, 31000, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia

Abstract

Introduction: With population ageing, there is an increasing need for a holistic approach to healthcare for older adults, with spiritual needs representing an important but often under-researched aspect. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the level of spiritual needs among older adults receiving community nursing care in Osijek-Baranja County.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 175 people aged 65 years and older who used the services of the Community Nursing Service of the Health Center of Osijek-Baranja County. Data were collected using a paper-and-pencil survey comprising the standardized Spiritual Needs Questionnaire and a sociodemographic questionnaire.

Results: The most pronounced spiritual needs among the respondents were the needs for giving and inner peace, while existential needs were the least pronounced (P < 0.001). Women reported higher Inner Peace (P = 0.010), Existential (P = 0.030), and Religious Needs (P = 0.001). Participants belonging to a religious community reported higher Inner Peace (P = 0.030), Giving/Generativity (P = 0.008), and Religious Needs (P < 0.001). Age was negatively associated with Inner Peace (P = 0.010) and Giving/Generativity Needs (P = 0.010), whereas self-rated religiosity was positively associated with all dimensions (P ≤ 0.008), particularly Religious Needs (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Older adults receiving community nursing care demonstrated substantial spiritual needs, especially those related to generativity and inner peace. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating spiritual care into nursing practice and the broader healthcare of older adults.