Spirituality in a Middle-Aged Male with Chronic Respiratory Disorder Caused by Chemicals Inhalation

Abstract

Objective: To examine the spirituality of a middle-aged male with chronic respiratory disorder due to chemical inhalation at work.

Method: The method of descriptive phenomenology was used to analyze data obtained from unstructured interviews with an-adult male patient in his fortie.

Results: The participant experienced spirituality in the form of “fear of my body breaking down,” “shock of being confirmed as having a serious illness,” “questioning of absurd experiences,” “regret of having been optimistic about my illness,” “regret of having nowhere to go but to the medical profession,” “desire for survival,” and “live to fulfill my role as a mature man”.

Conclusion: The participant experienced the spiritual pain of having a disease that requires prolonged diagnostic time is associated with life-threatening physical pain, and can only be treated using coping mechanisms. However, he also experienced well-being in his spirituality in the form of wanting to live and fulfill his role as a father.