Spiritual well-being, sense of hope, and positive perception of illness among patients undergoing chemotherapy / Rally Kier Arenas, Clint Cania, Katrina Cu, Reiz Jahnky D. Cariño, Joannie M. Divinagracia, Ronald David, Karla Jane Almira Dedace, John Philip I. Malazo, Aliera Sofia F. Ongaco, Laviña Perez, Janina San Gabriel, Ulexis Jet Velunta

Cancer is a chronic illness that affects a person's quality of life drastically. Spiritual well-being, sense of hope and positive perception of illness are factors that can alter the distress and negative effects that the disease gives to them. These three variables, in general, different with each other and possess different characteristics that help in a Filipino patient undergoing chemotherapy cope, build their self-esteem and give a good prognosis for the to be able to survive and find strength to continue but are interrelated with each other. This study's main objective is to determine the level of Spiritual Well-Being, Sense of Hope and Perception of Illness among patients undergoing chemotherapy. The researchers utilized a quantitative, cross-sectional, non-experimental, descriptive correlational type of research. The data was gathered through the use of three standardized tools which are the following: Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well Being Scale or FACIT-Sp-12, Herth Hope Index and Silver Lining Questionnaire. The data was gathered within the whole month of June 2012 from 30 different patients undergoing chemotherapy. Pearson correlation test was done to determine the correlation of these variables. It is found out that there is a high level of spiritual well-being among patients undergoing in terms of meaning (x: 4.12). It's also found out that they are hopeful in terms of positive expectations (x:4), inner sense of temporality (x:3.77), and (x:4.1) and they are optimistic (x:3.94) on how they perceive their illness. Correlations between the variables were also done. The researchers checked for the correlation between the Spiritual Well-Being and Sense of hope (r value: .892, sig. value: .000) and also found to be significant. And the correlation between the Spiritual Well-Being and Positive perception of illness was done (r value: .79, sig. value: .000) and found to be significant. With the results garnered by the researchers, they recommend the following that the use of these three variables, spiritual well-being, sense of hope, and positive perception of illness, which is found to be influencing each other, in the approach of health care of chronically ill patients help them in their disease prognosis and experience a better quality of life.

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