Children with advanced cancer: responses to a spiritual quality of life interview.

In children, spirituality has been defined as the ability to derive personal value and transcend beyond the self through relationships with others (Hart & Schneider, 1997). The spiritual dimension of quality of life (QOL) has been increasingly recognized as an important component of whole person care in adults (Ahmedzai, 1990; Ferrell, Rhiner, Cohen, & Grant, 1991; Frey, 2001; Haas, 1999; Pender, Murdaugh, & Parsons, 2002). The Committee on Palliative End-of-Life Care for Children and Their Families has noted that little research has addressed spirituality in children with life-threatening illnesses (Field & Behrman, 2003). It is important that we understand this component of a child’s life so that we better provide support as the end of life approaches.