The Relationship Between Spiritual Care Needs, Quality of Life and Distress in Adults with Hematologic Cancer in...

Spiritual care is a vital aspect of holistic oncology care, particularly for individuals facing life-threatening illnesses like hematological cancer. Despite its significance, spiritual care needs are often overlooked in clinical settings. This study aimed to explore the spiritual care needs of adults with hematological cancer and to examine their relationships with psychosocial distress, quality of life, functional status, and sociodemographic and clinical factors. A descriptive, correlational study was conducted with 156 hematological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at a tertiary hospital in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, Spiritual Care Needs Inventory, Distress Thermometer, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. The study found that spiritual care needs were higher among female patients, married individuals, those diagnosed within the past year, and those with poorer functional status. Lower social/family and emotional well-being were also associated with increased spiritual care needs. Distress levels, however, were not significantly related to these needs. The findings underscore the need for a holistic approach to spiritual care that addresses religious beliefs and psychosocial needs. Integrating social, emotional, and psychological support can enhance overall well-being during cancer treatment. Spiritual assessments should be routinely integrated into oncology care, particularly for women, married individuals, newly diagnosed patients, and those with poor functional status. Since emotional and social well-being are key indicators of spiritual needs, care strategies should include psychosocial support alongside traditional spiritual or religious care.