Analysis of Factors That Influence the Spiritual Care Needs of Patients with Advanced Cancer

Abstract

Objective. To explore the factors influencing the spiritual care needs of patients with advanced cancer. Method. A sample of 321 patients with advanced cancer, who have been treated in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2022 to February 2023, was recruited. Clinical data of patients participating in this study were collected via a customized questionnaire. The validated Chinese version of the spiritual care needs scale was used to evaluate patients’ spiritual care needs. Statistical analyses included the unpaired t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression. Result. The average score of spiritual care needs was 33.81 ± 7.76 points. Multiple regression analysis revealed that age (t = 4.24 and P < 0.01), occupation (t = 2.971 and P < 0.01), and alcohol consumption (t = 3.477 and P < 0.01) significantly influenced spiritual care needs. Patients with age, occupation, and alcohol consumption negatively impact spiritual needs, that is, the older the age, the smaller the spiritual needs. Individuals who engaged in business units, individual businesses, or had a drinking habit had lower spiritual needs. Conclusion. The scores of spiritual care needs in patients with advanced cancer were influenced by factors such as age, occupation, and alcohol consumption.