Explaining the spiritual experiences of patients with covid-19: a content analysis study

Spirituality and spiritual health are among the dimensions of health. The spread of Corona disease affected not only the mental health of people but also their spiritual health. The present study aimed to explain the spiritual experiences of patients with COVID-19.

This qualitative research is a conventional content analysis type. Participants include patients with COVID-19, and sampling was done purposefully. The data collection tool was an in-depth interview with semi-structured questions. Granheim and Lundman's qualitative approach and OneNet 2016 software was used to analyze the collected data. The criteria proposed by Goba and Lincoln were used for the validity and reliability of the study.

In this study, 14 patients were interviewed. The findings of the study included two main themes, namely, experience of religious evolution and lack of emotional support, and eight sub-themes. Feeling close to God, spiritual awakening, knowing the value of well-being, acceptance of justice and divine destiny were the sub-themes of the experience of religious evolution. Moreover, denial of any supernatural causality, the experience of the conflict of belief in divine justice, illness, and death anxiety were sub-themes of lack of emotional support.

The results of the present study indicated two different spectrums (strengthening of spiritual beliefs and weakening of spiritual beliefs) of patients. The findings of the study can be used by health professionals in the holistic and spiritual care of patients.