The Effect of Compassion and Spiritual Care Competence on Intensive Care Nurses’ Perceptions of a Good Death: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Authors : Merve Işık, Semra Seyhan Şahin
Pages : 245-252
Doi:10.48071/sbuhemsirelik.1733729
View : 128 | Download : 210
Publication Date : 2025-12-17
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Introduction: Intensive care nurses play a critical role in end-of-life care by ensuring patient comfort, providing emotional support to families, and facilitating communication. Aim: This study aims to determine the effect of compassion level and spiritual care competence on the perception of good death among intensive care nurses. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 116 intensive care nurses working in the intensive care units of a university hospital between April and June 2025. Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, the Compassion Scale, the Spiritual Care Competence Scale, and the Good Death Perception Scale. Data analysis included t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression analyses. Results: Regression analysis indicated that spiritual care competence was the strongest predictor of intensive care nurses’ perceptions of a good death (B = 0.242; p = 0.029). Among the subdimensions, ‘professionalism in spiritual care and patient counseling’ was found to be significant (B = 0.590; p = 0.007). Although compassion was positively associated with perceptions of a good death, it was not a statistically significant predictor (B = 0.145; p = 0.371). Model 1, which included compassion, spiritual care competence, gender, marital status, and economic status, explained 26.1% of the variance, whereas Model 2, which included the subdimensions of spiritual care competence, explained 25.8%. Conclusion: Spiritual care competence is the most critical factor enhancing the perception of good death. It is recommended to integrate components such as needs assessment, counseling and support, and communication about spiritual values into routine practice and nursing education.
Keywords : Hemşireler, maneviyat, merhamet, ölüme yönelik tutum

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