Spiritual Challenges of Family Caregivers of Patients in a Vegetative State: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Background: Spirituality helps family caregivers of vegetative state patients to overcome the stressful conditions of patient care. However, the illness and caregiver burden may also negatively affect the caregiver’s spirituality. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the challenges of family caregivers of patients in a vegetative state. Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted through conventional content analysis from August 2020 to September 2021 in two provinces of Iran (Sistan and Baluchestan and Khorasan Razavi). A total of 20 family caregivers of patients in a vegetative state were included in the study. Semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data. Data were analyzed using the method proposed by Graneheim and Lundman via MAXQDA2020 software. Data collection continued until data saturation and identification of main categories. Results: Based on data analysis, spiritual disintegration and spiritual coherence were identified as the two main categories to describe the spiritual challenges of family caregivers of patients in a vegetative state. The experiences of family caregivers showed that spirituality is effective in accepting the conditions and adapting to the role of the patient caregiver. However, illness and caregiver burden lead to spiritual damage and the turning away of family caregivers from performing religious rites and rituals. Conclusion: Considering the undeniable role of spirituality in dealing with the stressful situation of caring for a patient in a vegetative state, the spiritual needs of family caregivers and the implementation of nursing interventions to enhance the spiritual health of caregivers should be given more attention.