Sociodemographic Influences on Spiritual Well-Being Among Latino Leaders

Abstract

Background: Latinos with cancer face serious health disparities in palliative care. Spirituality is vital to end of life (EOL) decision-making among Latinos, yet no studies examined how sociodemographic variables influence spirituality and EOL decision-making. The purpose of this study was to explore how education, age, and religious preference influence spiritual well-being among a subset of Latino community leaders. Methodology: A mixed methods participatory action research study was conducted between 2020-2021 with an overall goal to assist Latinos with cancer in symptom management and EOL decision-making. Latino leaders (N=15) in eastern North Carolina participated in one of three focus groups, completed a demographic survey, and the Spanish/English Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp). The FACIT-SP measures spiritual well-being on a scale from 0-48, with subscales of Meaning, Peace, and Faith. Spiritual well-being was cross-referenced with three sociodemographic categorical variables; religious preference (Catholic vs. other), age (young vs. old), and education (low vs. high). Results: The average FACIT-Sp wellbeing score was 40.7. Higher education suggested greater spiritual well-being in all three subscales of Meaning, Peace, and Faith. Age and religious preference showed minimal differences. A major theme, Getting in the Good Book, linked spirituality to a good death. Discussion: Participants in our study scored higher in spiritual well-being as compared to Latino subgroups (ill and healthy) in other studies that used the FACIT-Sp. Higher spiritual well-being scores for persons with higher education may be related to greater exposure to diverse perspectives compared to persons with lower education who may adhere to more traditional beliefs. Thematic findings were congruent with overall spiritual well-being scores.