Spiritual coping strategies and quality of life in older adults who have sustained a hip fracture: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the relationship between spiritual coping strategies and quality of life in persons with a hip fracture. Design: A correlational, cross-sectional survey design. Methods: The total population of Maltese-speaking adults over 65 years (N = 299), with a hip fracture receiving treatment in a public hospital in Malta in 2015, were invited. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and the Spiritual Coping Strategies Scale were used. Results: A response rate of 51% (n = 147) was achieved. The poorest quality of life was for the physical and psychological domains. Spiritual coping strategies were associated with better quality of life with the exception of physical quality of life. Non-religious coping strategies were the stronger predictor of quality of life compared with religious coping strategies. The former predicted physical, psychological, environmental, social and overall quality of life. Conclusion: Hip fractures have serious implications on quality of life which could be improved by promoting non-religious spiritual coping strategies.