Spiritual Care Lowering Anxiety and Depression in Palliative Care Patients
Advisor(s)
Jamie Hunsicker
Megan Leib
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
11-4-2025 11:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2025 11:50 AM
Abstract
Problem: Patients receiving palliative care report increased anxiety and depression. Currently most patients are treated with anti-anxiety and depression medications, and some therapy. Spiritual care is another avenue that may be used to decrease anxiety and depression in palliative care.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore if spiritual care provided daily at 5 minute mindfulness and once a week group talk sessions helps lower the anxiety and depression of patients in palliative programs.
Methods: Questionnaires that will be used are Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) for anxiety assessment, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression, and Patient’s Spiritual Well-Being Scale (PtSpWBS) for spiritual assessment. These questionnaires will be performed per and post spiritual care activities. The sample population will be from St. Rita’s Palliative Care.
Conclusion: Spiritual care can be used to decrease anxiety and depression and improve the quality of life for those who have severe chronic illness, or terminal illness, without more medications and treatments. This helps reach the goal of lower involvement in treatments and focuses on mental and spiritual care.
Recommended Citation
Millican, Chloe, "Spiritual Care Lowering Anxiety and Depression in Palliative Care Patients" (2025). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 43.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2025/Posters/43
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Spiritual Care Lowering Anxiety and Depression in Palliative Care Patients
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Problem: Patients receiving palliative care report increased anxiety and depression. Currently most patients are treated with anti-anxiety and depression medications, and some therapy. Spiritual care is another avenue that may be used to decrease anxiety and depression in palliative care.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore if spiritual care provided daily at 5 minute mindfulness and once a week group talk sessions helps lower the anxiety and depression of patients in palliative programs.
Methods: Questionnaires that will be used are Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) for anxiety assessment, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression, and Patient’s Spiritual Well-Being Scale (PtSpWBS) for spiritual assessment. These questionnaires will be performed per and post spiritual care activities. The sample population will be from St. Rita’s Palliative Care.
Conclusion: Spiritual care can be used to decrease anxiety and depression and improve the quality of life for those who have severe chronic illness, or terminal illness, without more medications and treatments. This helps reach the goal of lower involvement in treatments and focuses on mental and spiritual care.