PURPOSE. The dimension of spirituality is woven into client phenomena, which nurses diagnose and treat, yet previous research identifies that nurses do not know if the nursing diagnosis of spiritual distress describes the spiritual response(s) found in children.
METHODS. A descriptive study using a modification of Fehring's (1987) model for nursing diagnosis validation with board-certified chaplains as the expert participants (N = 26).
FINDINGS.Only two of the defining characteristics in the 13–18 year-old-group met the criteria for “major,” as defined by Fehring (1987). As the ages of the children increased, the more likely defining characteristics met the criteria for “minor.” Participants offered suggestions for clarifying the definition, described additional defining characteristics found in children, and identified situations in which chaplains are called upon to assess spirituality.
CONCLUSIONS. The results of this research add to the knowledge of spiritual responses in children.
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