Positive Religious/Spiritual Coping in Women with Breast Cancer: A Qualitative Study
Keywords:
Religious/spiritual coping, Breast neoplasia, Spirituality, ReligionAbstract
The aim in this research was to understand the place that religiousness/spirituality has in the lives of female breast cancer patients with high rates of positive religious/spiritual coping, the coping styles used during diagnosis and treatment, and possible changes occurred during the illness. Seven women linked to two support groups participated in two focal groups. The average age was 51.5 years (SD=7.2) and the patients had received their breast cancer diagnosis, on average, 43.4 months earlier (SD=14.6). The results revealed a positive relationship with God, which was capable of fostering strength, hope and comfort. Personality changes in the participants were mentioned, which were a result
of a reflection process at the time of the diagnosis. Results reaffirm the need for of an approach in which healthcare professionals embrace the religious/spiritual beliefs of the patients, aiming to encourage positive coping strategies and the reevaluation of the negative ones.