From spirituality to coping strategy: making sense of chronic illness

Abstract

This article explores how individuals might make sense of chronic illness. The spiritual aspect of self is described both as being central to finding meaning in suffering with a chronic illness and also the source of hope in meeting the challenges faced. Culture as the template for interpreting the significance of chronic ill health at a personal, familial and societal level is also considered. A conceptual model for understanding life transitions is modified to incorporate the spiritual and cultural perspectives of making sense of chronic illness in relation to coping skills. In understanding how patients make sense of their circumstances nurses are more likely to be able to offer appropriate support to effect coping.

Interpretation of Illness in Patients with Chronic Diseases from Poland and Their Associations with Spirituality, Life Satisfaction, and Escape from Illness—Results from a Cross Sectional Study

“…Moreover, spirituality/religiosity can be seen also a resource of hope [7][8][9] and transformation [10,11]. Wiechman and Magyar-Russell [12] have shown that trauma survivors who use religious coping strategies show signs of posttraumatic growth' with "greater appreciation of life and changed priorities; warmer, more intimate relations with others; a greater sense of personal strength, recognition of new possibilities, and spiritual development".…”

Coping religioso/espiritual em pessoas com doença renal crônica em tratamento hemodialítico

“…Religion and spirituality are increasingly emphasized constructs in health care, as they can be perceived as a way to find meaning for life, to have hope and be in peace amidst severe events like the chronic illness (6) .…”

Atitude Religiosa e Percepção Ontológica do Tempo: Um Estudo Correlacional com Pacientes com Insuficiência Renal Crônica em Hemodiálise

“…Conforme sugere o estudo de Silveira et al (2010, os pacientes em hemodiálise apresentam comprometimento na qualidade de vida, sobretudo nos aspectos físicos e na vitalidade. Entretanto, Greenstreet (2006) considera que a espiritualidade em pacientes com doenças crônicas pode fornecer sentido e esperança para a vida. Já o estudo de Melo, Silva, Da Silva, Galvão e Caetano (2016) sugeriu que duas variáveis, Frequência em comparecer ao templo religioso e Esforço para viver de acordo com a religião, se associaram diretamente com a esperança em pacientes renais crônicos.…”