ch. 35: spiritual health, meaning, and self-actualization

self-actualization

the highest expression of one’s individual potential and implies inner motivation has been freed to express the most unique and authentic self

traits of the self-actualized

time competent, inner directed, flexible, sensitive to self, spontaneous, values and accepts self, positively views others, positively views life, acceptance of own aggressiveness, capable of intimate contact

wisdom

requires the ability to integrate experiences across time and utilize these experiences in a reflective manner

creativity

a bridge between the growing self and the transcending self, involves curiosity, inquisitiveness, wonderment, and puzzlement

spirituality

indescribable need that drives individuals throughout life to seek meaning and purpose in their existence, transcends the physical and psychosocial to reach the deepest individual capacity for love, hope, and meaning, is a broader concept than religion

spiritual nursing actions

relieve physical discomfort, create peaceful environment, comforting touch, authentic presence, listen attentively, knowing pt. as a person, listen to life stories, foster forgiveness, validate person’s life, share caring words and love, encourage family support, pray with pt., respect religious traditions, refer to spiritual counselor

risk factors for spiritual distress

diagnosis of chronic or terminal illness, interpersonal or emotional suffering, loss of hope or meaning, depression, cognitive impairment, questioning or loss of faith, loss of support, inability to participate in spiritual rituals

transcendence

high level of emotional response to religious and spiritual life and finds expression in numerous rituals and modes of cosmic response, roused by desire to fo beyond the self

legacy

one’s tangible and intangible assets that are transferred to another and may be treasured as a symbol of mortality

types of legacies

autobiographies, life histories, journaling, collective legacies, living legacies, property and assets, personal possessions

collective legacies

legacies expressed through other people

living legacies

being an organ donor, donating body to science