An integrative review of defining characteristic of the nursing diagnosis “spiritual distress”

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify the defining characteristics of spiritual distress (00066). DESIGN: This study was conducted by integrated review method using Broom method. METHODS: PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Cochran Library, and Persian scientific databases were searched from January 2010 to December 2020. RESULTS: Twenty‐one article and 74 defining characteristics were identified. 33 of these defining characteristics was mentioned in NANDA. The criteria with the highest frequency and repetition in articles were lack of peace, lack of hope, change in anger behaviour, lack of meaning in life, change in fear and crying behaviour, Concern about belief and values system and/or God. CONCLUSION: Some of the spiritual distress defining characteristics overlap with other nursing diagnoses, including anxiety and hopelessness. Clinical and content validation studies need to be conducted and the main criteria for diagnosing spiritual distress in different cultures and religions need to be identified.