Author:

Keywords:

Science & Technology, Arts & Humanities, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Public, Environmental & Occupational Health, Religion, Outcome, Chaplaincy, Geriatric care, Spiritual care, Healthcare, ADVANCED CANCER-PATIENTS, SPIRITUAL CARE, FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT, NEGATIVE AFFECT, HOPE, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, LIFE, VALIDATION, SCALE, Humans, Belgium, Aged, Male, Female, Pastoral Care, Aged, 80 and over, Catholicism, Chaplaincy Service, Hospital, Middle Aged, G070919N#54970017, 1117 Public Health and Health Services, Social Psychology, 4206 Public health, 5203 Clinical and health psychology

Abstract:

The present non-randomized clinical trial examined the short-term outcomes of one-on-one chaplaincy interventions with 416 geriatric patients in Belgium. Participants were interviewed one or two days before a potential chaplaincy intervention (baseline measurement), and one or two days after a potential intervention (post-measurement). Patients in the non-randomized intervention group received an intervention by the chaplain, while the non-randomized comparison group did not. Patients in the intervention group showed a significant decrease in state anxiety and negative affect, and a significant improvement in levels of hope, positive affect, peace, and Scottish PROM-scores, compared to the comparison group. Levels of meaning in life and faith did not significantly change after the chaplaincy intervention. This study suggests that geriatric patients may benefit from chaplaincy care and recommends the integration of chaplaincy care into the care for older adults.