Psychological tool for role of spirituality in palliative care- a study

Abstract

The process undertaken for development and validation of a tool to measure spirituality in palliative care included sample comprised of 70 participants (30 terminally ill patients and 40 caregivers and family members of the terminally ill). The spirituality scale has 44 items. It is a multidimensional 5 point Likert type scale. Content validity, face validity, construct validity and test-retest reliability of the tool were ascertained and a reliable and valid scale of spirituality was developed. The diagnosis of chronic or life- threatening illness can lead to spiritual struggles among patients and their families. The aim of the tool is to measure one's inclination towards spirituality, readiness to adopt spirituality in life and highlight the benefits of the same in palliative care.