Spiritual well-being may reduce the negative impacts of cancer symptoms on the quality of life and the desire for hastened death in terminally ill cancer patients

Background: Spirituality is a central component of the well-being of terminally ill cancer patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the mediating or moderating role of spiritual well-being in reducing the impact of cancer-related symptoms on quality of life and the desire for hastened death in terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: Eighty-five terminally ill cancer patients were assessed using the Taiwanese version of the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General, the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-being, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Schedule of Attitudes Toward Hastened Death. Results: Spiritual well-being was significantly negatively correlated with symptom severity (r =-0.46, P <.01). Symptom severity negatively correlated with quality of life (r =-0.54) and positively correlated with hopelessness (r = 0.51, P <.01) and the desire for hastened death (r = 0.61, P <.01). Spiritual well-being was a partial mediator and moderator between symptom severity and quality of life. Spiritual well-being was a partial mediator between symptom severity and the desire for hastened death. The meaning subscale of spiritual well-being was a more significant predictor of the desire for hastened death and quality of life than the faith subscale was. Conclusion: Spiritual well-being may reduce the negative impacts of cancer on quality of life and the desire for hastened death. Implications for Practice: Appropriate spiritual care may reduce the negative impact of severe cancer symptoms on quality of life and the desire for hastened death in terminally ill cancer patients.