Fateme Eshghi - Student Research Committee, School of, Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti, University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran
Lida Nikfarid - Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of MedicalSciences,Tehran, Iran
Armin Zareiyan - Public Health Department, Health in Disaster & Emergencies Department, Nursing Faculty, Aja University ofMedical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the defining characteristics of spiritual distress (۰۰۰۶۶).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 scientificdatabases were searched from January ۲۰۱۰ to December ۲۰۲۰.Results: Twenty-one article and ۷۴ defining characteristics were identified. ۳۳ of these defining characteristics wasmentioned in NANDA. The criteria with the highest frequency and repetition in articles were lack of peace, lack ofhope, change in anger behaviour, lack of meaning in life, change in fear and crying behaviour, Concern aboutbelief and values system and/or God.Conclusion: Some of the spiritual distress defining characteristics overlap with other nursing diagnoses, includinganxiety and hopelessness. Clinical and content validation studies need to be conducted and the main criteria fordiagnosing spiritual distress in different cultures and religions need to be identified.

“nursing diagnosis, spiritual distress, spirituality