PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of spiritual well-being and meaning in life for adolescents with leukemia.
METHODS
Participants were 102 adolescents (11-21 years) recruited at C university hospital from June to August in 2014. The eligible participants were diagnosed with leukemia and are on follow-up care at the outpatient clinic. Participants were assessed for spiritual well-being, meaning in life, self-esteem, and social support.
RESULTS
Levels of spiritual well-being and meaning in life for these adolescents with leukemia were 3.69 out of 6 and 3.10 out of 4, respectively. Self-esteem and social support from family were factors affecting spiritual well-being. Self-esteem, existential well-being and social support from family and friends were predictive for meaning in life and accounted for 68% of total variance.
CONCLUSION
The results show that there are several factors affecting spiritual well-being and meaning in life in adolescents with leukemia. Therefore, nursing intervention programs for adolescents with leukemia should include strengthening self-esteem and social support as well as considering the spiritual aspect of life in order to find meaning in life beyond leukemia.

Citations

• Identification of Evidence for Key Positive Psychological Constructs in Pediatric and Adolescent/Young Adult Patients with Cancer: A Scoping Review
  Cole Wayant, Jack Manquen, Hannah Wendelbo, Natalie Kerr, Matt Crow, Jon Goodell, Andrea C. Tricco, Jennifer W. Mack, Chan Hellman, Matt Vassar
  Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.2021; 10(3): 247.     CrossRef
• Difficulty in returning to school among adolescent leukemia survivors: A qualitative descriptive study
  Hyeran An, Sunhee Lee
  European Journal of Oncology Nursing.2019; 38: 70.     CrossRef