Is There a Connection Between Spiritual Transcendence and Quality of Life? A Cross-Sectional Survey Study in Patients Under the End-of-Life Care

Background: There is limited data available on the spiritual dimension of palliative care in Eastern Europe. In countries such as Poland, investigating spirituality and its essential aspects is further complicated because in a predominantly Catholic country, spirituality is mistakenly thought to be identical to religiousness. Aim: This study investigated the connection between spiritual transcendence, meaning in life, altruism, and the quality of life of cancer patients in end-of-life care in an Eastern Europe Country (Poland). Design: This cross-sectional study was based on 4 surveys. The Quality of Life Questionnaire MQOL-R, the Scale of Spiritual Transcendence, the Purpose in Life Questionnaire PIL-6, and the Altruism Scale were used. Setting/Participants: Data from 41 oncology patients receiving end-of-life care at home and in a stationary hospice was obtained. Results: Results indicate that there is a significant positive correlation between transcendence, spiritual growth, and global quality of life. There is also a positive correlation between altruism and the meaning of life, as well as between the meaning of life, spirituality and quality of life, while altruism is positively associated exclusively with spirituality. Conclusion: This study revealed that spiritual transcendence can be understood, according to Piedmont's theory, as a personality trait that allows the patients to cross the boundaries of their existence and identify subjectively important values in their life. It can be examined and developed not only in the context of the need but also as a predisposition and a resource of personhood.