DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v16i2.77600

Exploring the Spiritual Dimensions of Indonesian Patients Living with a Permanent Stoma after Colorectal Cancer: A Phenomenological Study

Dwi Asih Rohmawati orcid  -  Dr. Sarjito Central General Hospital, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
*Yati Afiyanti orcid scopus  -  Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Hening Pujasari  -  Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Dyah Juliastuti  -  Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Ichsan Satya, South Tangerang, Indonesia
Open Access Copyright (c) 2026 by the Authors, Published by Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Background: Research worldwide has highlighted the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual challenges faced by patients living with a permanent stoma following colorectal cancer. However, limited research has examined the spiritual dimensions of living with a stoma among Indonesian patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the spiritual meanings and experiences of patients living with a permanent stoma due to colorectal cancer in Indonesia.

Methods: A qualitative phenomenological design using Heidegger’s interpretive phenomenological approach was employed. Fifteen participants who had been living with a permanent stoma following colorectal cancer for more than three months were purposively recruited, 12 of whom were Muslim. Data were collected at the National Cancer Hospital in Indonesia over nine months through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using QSR NVivo 14 software.

Results: Three overarching themes emerged: (1) experiencing spiritual distress following cancer diagnosis and stoma formation (including rejection of life diversion, anger toward God, and social withdrawal); (2) embracing life with a stoma (including making peace with oneself and God, receiving social and professional support, and accepting the stoma); and (3) reconstructing self-existence after stoma formation (including developing meaning, hope, life goals, and pride in living with a stoma).

Conclusion: This study shows that spirituality helps Indonesian patients with colorectal cancer and a permanent stoma find meaning, achieve self-actualization, and make peace with themselves and God. Healthcare professionals should anticipate these patients’ spiritual needs through routine spiritual assessment and health education and, when necessary, facilitate their participation in support groups to help meet those needs.

 

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Keywords: Colorectal cancer; permanent stoma; spiritual distress; self-existence

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