Validación del test Meaning in Life Scale (MILS) modificado para evaluar la dimensión espiritual en población chilena y latinoamericana con cáncer en cuidados paliativos

Abstract

Introduction

Spirituality includes existential aspects of recognition of a sensation of peace, union and transcendence. In oncology, the development of the spirituality is associated with less depression and anxiety symptoms and a better quality of life. The aim of this study is to validate a test that measures the degree of spirituality in a population of Latin-American origin with cancer taken into care palliative care. There are no references to this in the literature. The possibility of validating a modified version of the Meaning in Life Scale (MILS) seems to be an alternative as it has important advantages on other test validated in population with cancer.

Material and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 patients in order to validate the scale. Pearson statistics were used to find associations between demographic variables, quality of life, and belief in beyond, and the spiritual dimension.

Results

This test is validated with high psychometric values. Furthermore, it showed that the higher the age, the lower is the meaning in life, and higher age and in females there is a greater benefit from the spiritual dimension, and a better quality of life. The group with belief in the beyond felt spiritual fullness.

Discussion

A specific test for spirituality in a Latin-American population with cancer on care palliative care is validated by the first time.

Conclusion

The previous results will allow future investigations in this specific population.