Exploring spiritual care: Insights from Hindu family caregivers in palliative care.

OBJECTIVES

Family caregivers play a fundamental role in addressing the spiritual needs of patients receiving palliative care, particularly in cultures where spirituality is deeply embedded in daily life. This study explored how Hindu family caregivers perceived spiritual care, the ways they incorporated spiritual practices into caregiving, and the challenges they experienced while supporting relatives with palliative care needs.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative study was undertaken with 12 Hindu family caregivers recruited through purposive and snowball sampling in Kuantan, Malaysia. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns across participants' experiences.

RESULTS

Three interconnected themes emerged: Perceiving Spiritual Care as a Source of Meaning and Hope, Integrating Spiritual Practices into Family Caregiving, and Navigating Emotional and Practical Challenges in Spiritual Caregiving. Participants described spiritual care as fostering inner peace, hope, and acceptance through practices such as prayer, temple worship, chanting, and family support. Caregivers viewed themselves as facilitators of both spiritual and emotional well-being while simultaneously facing emotional exhaustion, caregiving demands, and limited access to spiritual support services.

SIGNIFICANCE OF

RESULTS

The findings demonstrate that spiritual care is a shared responsibility between healthcare professionals and family caregivers in palliative care. Recognizing and supporting culturally grounded spiritual practices may strengthen holistic nursing care, promote family-centered care, and enhance the quality of palliative services for culturally diverse populations.