Presentation Information
[P-19-05]Sociodemographic Determinants of Spirituality in General Population, Cancer Patients, and Clinicians in Korea: A Comparative Analysis
*Hyeyoon Park1,2, Hye Jung Ahn2, Sun Young Lee3 (1.Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine(Korea), 2.Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital(Korea), 3.Public Healthcare Center, Seoul National University Hospital(Korea))
Keywords:
spirituality,religion,cancer patients,psycho-oncology
Background: Spirituality is a crucial component of holistic care in psycho-oncology. This study explored differences in spirituality levels and their sociodemographic determinants across the general population (GP), cancer patients, and clinicians in Korea, with special attention to the domain of “meaning of life.”
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 816 participants: the GP (n=500), cancer patients (n=116), and clinicians (n=200). Spirituality was assessed using a multidimensional scale with five domains rated on a 5-point Likert scale: transcendence beyond self and the present life, connectedness, meaning of life, and engagement in spiritual practices. Sociodemographic variables and religious affiliation were analyzed. Intergroup comparisons and logistic regression were performed to identify predictors of high spirituality.
Results: Overall spirituality scores did not significantly differ among groups (GP: 15.3, patients: 14.3, clinicians: 14.9; p=0.108). However, the “meaning of life” domain differed significantly (p=0.002), with cancer patients scoring the lowest (3.3), suggesting existential vulnerability. Religious affiliation strongly predicted spirituality: Christians had the highest scores (mean 19.4) compared to non-religious participants (mean 11.8; p<0.001). Logistic regression confirmed this trend (OR for Christians = 15.57, 95% CI: 10.56–22.94). Age 40–59 (OR=1.71) and female sex (OR=1.49) were also associated with higher spirituality. Among cancer patients, “meaning of life” remained notably lower, highlighting a potential area for targeted spiritual intervention.
Conclusions: Although overall spirituality levels were similar, cancer patients showed a significant decline in perceived meaning of life, underscoring the importance of addressing existential concerns. Religion, especially Christianity, emerged as the strongest predictor of high spirituality. These findings highlight the need for personalized spiritual care tailored to patients’ sociodemographic and existential contexts in psycho-oncology.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 816 participants: the GP (n=500), cancer patients (n=116), and clinicians (n=200). Spirituality was assessed using a multidimensional scale with five domains rated on a 5-point Likert scale: transcendence beyond self and the present life, connectedness, meaning of life, and engagement in spiritual practices. Sociodemographic variables and religious affiliation were analyzed. Intergroup comparisons and logistic regression were performed to identify predictors of high spirituality.
Results: Overall spirituality scores did not significantly differ among groups (GP: 15.3, patients: 14.3, clinicians: 14.9; p=0.108). However, the “meaning of life” domain differed significantly (p=0.002), with cancer patients scoring the lowest (3.3), suggesting existential vulnerability. Religious affiliation strongly predicted spirituality: Christians had the highest scores (mean 19.4) compared to non-religious participants (mean 11.8; p<0.001). Logistic regression confirmed this trend (OR for Christians = 15.57, 95% CI: 10.56–22.94). Age 40–59 (OR=1.71) and female sex (OR=1.49) were also associated with higher spirituality. Among cancer patients, “meaning of life” remained notably lower, highlighting a potential area for targeted spiritual intervention.
Conclusions: Although overall spirituality levels were similar, cancer patients showed a significant decline in perceived meaning of life, underscoring the importance of addressing existential concerns. Religion, especially Christianity, emerged as the strongest predictor of high spirituality. These findings highlight the need for personalized spiritual care tailored to patients’ sociodemographic and existential contexts in psycho-oncology.