The stage-specific role of spirituality among African American Christian women throughout the breast cancer experience.

Abstract

This study presents the results of semistructured interviews conducted with 18 African American Christian women regarding the role of spirituality throughout their breast cancer experiences. The spiritual themes relevant for phases of the breast cancer experience are identified. Analysis resulted in the identification of 11 codes and 5 subcodes that corresponded to the diagnosis, treatment, and posttreatment phases of the breast cancer experience. Most of the survivors indicated that their spirituality and faith assisted them throughout the breast cancer experience. Discussion focuses on the spiritual resources used by the participants at the different stages in the breast cancer experience. Attention is given to implications for how professionals can use these resources to assist African American women coping with breast cancer.

Role of spirituality in cancer coping among African Americans: a qualitative examination

“…The finding by Simon, et al [20] that spirituality facilitated coping with cancer support the findings of this study. Their participants' reports of increases in spirituality and of the role of the health care team as a spiritual resource were specifically echoed in our research.…”

“…Simon and colleagues [20] conducted a qualitative study examining the role of spirituality in African American women with breast cancer. Upon initial diagnosis, spirituality was found to facilitate their acceptance, guide their decisions around treatment, and provide family support.…”

Religious/spiritual coping and adjustment in individuals with cancer: unanswered questions, important trends, and future directions

“…Although the need to investigate multifaceted dimensions of religious coping remains, the trend towards a more in-depth study of religious coping is further reflected in recent qualitative studies looking to classify the content of religious coping strategies used by cancer patients (Aquino & Zago, 2007;Dein, Stygall, & Martin, 2006;Shaw et al, 2007;Simon, Crowther, & Higgerson, 2007;Tandon & Mehrotra, 2007). Aquino and Zago (2007) exemplify such research.…”

“…Lavery and E.L. O'Hea & Nasrabadi, 2006). Recent studies have begun to address this deficit by examining how religious coping is manifested during different stages of cancer (Aquino & Zago, 2007;Simon et al, 2007). Simon et al (2007) serves as the benchmark for such research.…”

“…Recent studies have begun to address this deficit by examining how religious coping is manifested during different stages of cancer (Aquino & Zago, 2007;Simon et al, 2007). Simon et al (2007) serves as the benchmark for such research. After conducting a sequence of semi-structured interviews with 18 African American breast cancer patients, Simon et al (2007) identified 11 codes and five subcodes corresponding to phases of treatment (diagnosis, treatment, post-treatment phase).…”