P0295 - Religious and spiritual beliefs, anxiety and depression among nursing students in, Greece

Abstract

Background and Aims:

Religious and spiritual beliefs are widely recognized as important components of human wellness, of health care outcomes and of holistic medical and nursing care. There are also studies supporting the theory that anxiety is lower in highly religious and spiritual persons.

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between religious and spiritual beliefs and psychological wellness among nursing students in Greece

Material and Methods:

A total of 72 students agreed to participate in the study. Students completed the Greek versions of three instruments: I) The Royal Free Interview for Religious and Spiritual Beliefs, a scale which focuses on the strength and the consequences of faith, rather than on the specific nature of each belief. II) Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and III) The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

Results:

The vast majority of the students (55.6%) reported both a religious and a spiritual belief, most of them where females. 16.7% reported a religious belief and 15.3% a spiritual belief. 12.5% stated that they had no religious or spiritual understanding of their life. The majority of the students (86.4%) perceived stress, most of them in mild levels (50.9%). About 3.5% reported very high levels of stress. Depressive symptoms were reported only by 22.5% of the sample. A positive correlation existed among anxiety and depression. On the other hand a consistent negative correlation was found between intense religiosity, state-trait anxiety and depression.

Conclusion:

These results are suggesting that religious and spiritual variables may influence psychological well-being of students.