Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
themes. The transcript was checked against the contemporaneous
notes to ensure accuracy and fidelity (Lofland & Lofland 1984).
Data from the questionnaire survey will be discussed first.
The questionnaire attempted to investigate what health is by
examining the level of importance respondents attached to spiritual,
psychical, social and well-being these being the themes identified
from the literature review. In the discussion that follows the
reader’s attention is drawn to the low rate of non-responses / no
answers indicating that the respondents were engaging with the
questionnaire items. It is important to note that for the purposes of
brevity not all of the questionnaire items are reproduced in the
tables below. Table 1 below shows the responses to the items
asked in relation to spiritual beliefs.
Table 1 Spiritual beliefs as a component of health.
Health is; SD D U A SA N/Ans
Having a connection with God 11.3 22.6 20.8 41.5 3.8 0.0
Being able to pray 13.2 24.5 24.5 35.8 1.9 0.0
Going to church service
regularly
17.0 34.0 30.2 17.0 1.9 0.0
Note; SD=Strongly Disagree, D=Disagree, U=Unsure, A=Agree, SA=Strongly
Agree, N/Ans=No Answer
While having a connection to God found some level of agreement
with respondents, the high rate of Unsure responses, never less
than one in five of the respondents in this table, indicates a
decreasing trend in concrete actions. For instance church
attendance, a practical activity, attracted less positive responses
than being able to pray or having a connection with God.
Table 2 below shows the responses to the items asked in relation to
the role psychical aspects play in respondents’ notions of health.
Table 2 Physical aspects of health.
Health is; SD D U A SA N/Ans
Being able to do my physical work 5.7 9.4 1.9 58.5 24.5 0.0
Being able to dress myself 5.7 13.2 7.5 54.7 17.0 1.9
Being able to walk 9.4 11.3 11.3 50.9 17.0 0.0
Being able to go about my work 1.9 13.2 5.7 66.0 13.2 0.0
Being able to shower by myself 7.5 15.1 7.5 45.3 24.5 0.0
Being able to physically speak 11.3 20.8 7.5 45.3 15.1 0.0
Being able to take part in my own 9.4 17.0 18.9 39.6 15.1 0.0
sport
Being physically able to walk 9.4 18.9 13.2 35.8 22.6 0.0
Being able to cut my own toenails 7.5 37.7 13.2 32.1 9.4 0.0
Note; SD=Strongly Disagree, D=Disagree, U=Unsure, A=Agree, SA=Strongly
Agree, N/Ans=No Answer
- 592 -