Spirituality and the recovery process
The terms ‘‘religion’’ and ‘‘spirituality’’ are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to separate concepts. Spirituality generally refers to the subjective experience of each person as they search for meaning in their lives. It can also refer to their personal relationship with the sacred. Spirituality is a more individual concept than religion although spirituality for some may include religion. Spirituality has been linked positively with improved physical health in a variety of conditions. Spirituality has also been linked to improvements in mental health. It may act as a coping mechanism. Peirano & Franz (2012) found that existential spirituality improved general health and social integration in persons with amputation. Existential spirituality refers to the way you give meaning and purpose to your life.
It is the responsibility of the peer visitor not to impose their belief system onto the person they are visiting. People experiencing limb amputations undergo major life changes. Existential spirituality may help mediate the negative effects of amputation. It is important, as a peer visitor, to set an example of a purposeful life after an amputation. During a peer visitation, individuals seeking support may raise questions about spirituality and faith. One of your roles as a peer visitor is to listen and encourage communication in order to support the recovery of the person you are visiting. This may entail communications about spirituality and faith. You need to be mindful that your perspective may differ from the individual you are visiting and avoid imposing your perspectives on the person you are visiting or pressuring them to participate in your faith practices.
