Comparison of the association between spiritual experiences and death anxiety in heart failure patients with angina pectoris patients

Background: Paying attention to religion and spirituality as a support tool to reduce anxiety can be investigated. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the association between spiritual experiences and death anxiety in heart failure patients with angina pectoris patients. Methods: The cross sectional study with a comparative descriptive approach was conducted between July and November of 2022. 248 people participated in this study through convenience sampling (124 patients from each group). Data were collected using demographic information questionnaires, Templar’s death anxiety scale and daily spiritual experience scale (DSES). Data were analyzed using X2, Fisher exact test, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney and Quade tests and Fisher’s Z transformation in SPSS v.26 software. Results: The mean score of spiritual experiences in heart failure patients was significantly higher than in angina pectoris patients (P=0.010). The mean score of death anxiety in the angina pectoris group was higher than the heart failure group, but this difference was not significant statistically (p=0.205). There was a significant and negative correlation between spiritual experiences and death anxiety in both groups (p 0.001). Fisher’s Z transformation test demonstrated that the difference between the correlation coefficient of spiritual experiences with death anxiety in patients of the two groups is not notable (t=0.20, p=0.420). Conclusion: The development of a comprehensive care program including support, facilitation and attention to spiritual desires and needs is suggested in order to reduce death anxiety.