Cultural aspects of spirituality in cancer care.

OBJECTIVES

To recognize the significant relationship between culture and spirituality; to offer techniques for assessing the influence of culture on spirituality.

DATA SOURCES

Books and journal articles from nursing and anthropology.

CONCLUSION

Patients' spirituality may be determined entirely by cultural norms, in opposition to cultural norms, or by both these norms and individual life experiences. A thorough assessment of a patient's spirituality with careful attention to the degree to which that spirituality is affected by the patient's cultural background is essential.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses who care for persons with cancer need to undertake a process of self-assessment of their spirituality before providing spiritual care for patients. Such an assessment helps to prevent cultural imposition.