Objective
Previous studies have examined whether spiritual well‐being is associated with cancer outcomes, but minority populations are under‐represented. This study examines associations of baseline spiritual well‐being and change in spiritual well‐being with change in distress and quality of life, and explores potential factors associated with changes in spiritual well‐being among Hispanic women undergoing chemotherapy.
Methods
Participants completed measures examining spiritual well‐being, distress, and quality of life prior to beginning chemotherapy and at weeks 7 and 13. Participants' acculturation and sociodemographic data were collected prior to treatment. Mixed models were used to examine the association of baseline spiritual well‐being and change in spiritual well‐being during treatment with change in distress and quality of life, and to explore whether sociodemographic factors, acculturation and clinical variables were associated with change in spiritual well‐being.
Results
A total of 242 participants provided data. Greater baseline spiritual well‐being was associated with less concurrent distress and better quality of life (p < 0.001), as well as with greater emotional and functional well‐being over time (p values < 0.01). Increases in spiritual well‐being were associated with improved social well‐being during treatment, whereas decreases in spiritual well‐being were associated with worsened social well‐being (p < 0.01). Married participants reported greater spiritual well‐being at baseline relative to non‐married participants (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Greater spiritual well‐being is associated with less concurrent distress and better quality of life, as well as with greater emotional, functional, and social well‐being over time among Hispanic women undergoing chemotherapy. Future work could include developing culturally targeted spiritual interventions to improve survivors' well‐being.