Kezban Koraş Sözen, Özge Havva Birim
Spiritual well-being was not significantly associated with surgical fear or postoperative quality of recovery among patients undergoing abdominal surgery. These findings suggest that, although spirituality may contribute to patients' internal coping processes, it may not directly influence immediate postoperative outcomes. Further studies involving diverse patient populations and longitudinal designs are needed to better understand the relationship between spirituality, psychological responses, and recovery outcomes in surgical care.
BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing emphasis placed on holistic care in healthcare, the impact of spiritual well-being on postoperative outcomes is unclear, particularly in patients who have undergone abdominal surgery. The postoperative period is characterized by significant physical and psychological stress.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between spiritual well-being, surgical fear, and the quality of postoperative recovery in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive and correlational study.
METHODS: A total of 116 patients participated in the study. Data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, Three-Factor Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Surgical Fear Questionnaire, and Quality of Recovery-40 Questionnaire. We evaluated the relationships between patients' levels of spiritual well-being, their fear of surgery, and the quality of postoperative recovery.
RESULTS: Patients reported high spiritual well-being and low levels of surgical fear; the mean Quality of Recovery-40 Questionnaire score was 109.36 ± 8.52, below the theoretical midpoint of the scale. Correlation analysis revealed no statistically significant relationship between spiritual well-being and surgical fear (ρ = 0.02, p = 0.83) or postoperative quality of recovery (ρ = 0.12, p = 0.2). No significant relationship was found between surgical fear and quality of recovery (ρ = 0.11, p = 0.23).
CONCLUSION: Spiritual well-being was not significantly associated with surgical fear or postoperative quality of recovery among patients undergoing abdominal surgery. These findings suggest that, although spirituality may contribute to patients' internal coping processes, it may not directly influence immediate postoperative outcomes. Further studies involving diverse patient populations and longitudinal designs are needed to better understand the relationship between spirituality, psychological responses, and recovery outcomes in surgical care.