Spirituality in coping with illness in palliative care

Abstract

Palliative care aims to promote quality of life in the context of life-threatening illnesses by integrating
physical, psychosocial, and spiritual dimensions of care. Spirituality has been recognized as a relevant
element in coping with illness and existential suffering. This study analyzed the role of spirituality in coping
with illness from the perspective of patients receiving palliative care. This exploratory, descriptive, qualitative
study was conducted in a Basic Health Unit in a municipality in Espírito Santo, Brazil, involving 12 adult
patients followed by a multidisciplinary team. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews,
recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings indicate that spirituality
supports the re-signification of the illness experience, emotional strengthening, and the development of
family and community support networks. It is concluded that spirituality represents a relevant resource in
coping with illness, reinforcing the need for its ethical and systematic integration into palliative care practices.