The role of the spiritual dimension of the self as the prime determinant of health
Abstract
PURPOSE: To present a clinical commentary on the relationship of spirituality to healthcare for those with chronic physical conditions. METHOD: A spiritually based theory of self-identity was presented, based on selected literature to identify the process of health attainment for those with chronic conditions. The resultant Health Change Process Theory was then discussed in relation to relevant empirical research and the implications for rehabilitation practice were outlined. RESULTS: The development of a resilient, intrinsic, spiritually based concept of self was found to be pivotal to health outcomes in rehabilitation. This was then incorporated within a Health Change Process Theory to explain and predict the course followed by people with chronic disorders to achieve health. CONCLUSION: The Health Change Process Theory provides an inclusive framework within which acute and chronic rehabilitation healthcare can be merged to maximise health outcomes. Nevertheless, a need remains to develop a quantitative measure of individual holistic health, based on this theory, to facilitate its use in rehabilitation practice. This paper forwards an explanation for the process that people experiencing chronic physical disabilities undergo as they achieve health. A concept of self that identifies the spiritual core as the component that determines the constancy and continuity of self as a whole which is necessary for health is presented as the basis of the rehabilitative health process.
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The development of a spiritual identity has been found to be important for those with chronic physical conditions.
“The development of a spiritual identity has been found to be important for those with chronic physical conditions (Faull & Hills, 2006).”
From The relationship between spirituality and resilience and well-being: a study of 529 care leavers from 11 nations. (2023) · cites this paper as Faull & Hills, 2006
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- Authors
- Faull, K., & Hills, M. D.
- Affiliations
- Rotorua Hospital (NZ)
- University of Waikato (NZ)
- Corresponding author
- Hills, M. D.
- Venue
- Disability and Rehabilitation
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2006-01
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 729-740
- ISSN
- 0963-8288 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-5165
- OpenAlex
- W2130618908
- Cited by
- 41
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 3.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Disability and Rehabilitation (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Demography › Workplace Spirituality and Leadership
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
- Keywords
- spirituality, self-identity, chronic physical illness, rehabilitation, holistic health, spiritual resilience, chronic physical disability
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Chronic Disease, Health, Humans, Self Concept, Spirituality
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