Religiosity as a dimension of well-being: a challenge for professional nursing

The principles of holistic nursing require understanding the human individual as a complex and coherent entity consisting of physical, psychic, social, and spiritual dimensions. Considering the research evidence about people's experiences of well-being, the spiritual dimension, here regarded as synonymous with religiosity, does not seem to receive due attention in nursing. This article describes the appearance of religiosity as an integral part of people's experiences of well-being. Data from interviews with 40 adults who had contacted the primary health care system were analyzed on the basis of a qualitative, thematic analysis. Christians who belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland incorporated their religious values into their experiences of well-being. These values were reflected in ideas of the good life, in solutions to everyday problems, and in self-care. The results highlight the importance of a nursing concept that recognizes each patient's individual well-being.