Quality of life and religious-spiritual coping in palliative cancer care patients

Abstract

Objectives:to compare the quality of life and religious-spiritual coping of palliative cancer care patients with a group of healthy participants; assess whether the perceived quality of life is associated with the religious-spiritual coping strategies; identify the clinical and sociodemographic variables related to quality of life and religious-spiritual coping. Method:cross-sectional study involving 96 palliative outpatient care patient at a public hospital in the interior of the state of São Paulo and 96 healthy volunteers, using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Brief Religious-Spiritual Coping scale. Results:192 participants were interviewed who presented good quality of life and high use of Religious-Spiritual Coping. Greater use of negative Religious-Spiritual Coping was found in Group A, as well as lesser physical and psychological wellbeing and quality of life. An association was observed between quality of life scores and Religious-Spiritual Coping (p<0.01) in both groups. Male sex, Catholic religion and the Brief Religious-Spiritual Coping score independently influenced the quality of life scores (p<0.01). Conclusion:both groups presented high quality of life and Religious-Spiritual Coping scores. Male participants who were active Catholics with higher Religious-Spiritual Coping scores presented a better perceived quality of life, suggesting that this coping strategy can be stimulated in palliative care patients.

Religious/spiritual coping and level of hope in patients with cancer in chemotherapy

“…However, the way in which the individual makes use of religious coping may bring benefits, such as lower incidence of diseases or complications during treatment and greater longevity, or may lead to greater anxiety and depression and lower levels of hope and spiritual well-being (15) . In this study, the predominance of patients presenting with PCRE in the medium rating may indicate that there was no relevant negative emotional impact caused by cancer, due to behaviors that define coping strategies as positive, such as praying for the well-being of others and seeking protection, support, love and guidance in God (18)(19) .…”

Spiritual needs experienced by the patient's family caregiver under Oncology palliative care

“…In addition to the presumed benefits of religious involvement in health, studies show that when religious beliefs and behaviors are compromised, they can have harmful consequences for the individual, such as: questioning the existence, questioning the relationship with the Divine, and considering the experience as divine punishment (20) . Thus, it is necessary for the nurse to be aware of how religiosity influences this experience so that this resource is a positive tool in its clinical practice.…”

<b> O adoecimento por mesotelioma na perspectiva do familiar cuidador / The mesothelioma disease in the perspective of the family caregiver

“…Um estudo realizado em 2017 com objetivo de comparar a qualidade de vida e o suporte religioso observou que, nos 192 participantes, sendo 96 sem doença diagnosticada e 96 em cuidados paliativos, os praticantes da religião católica, independente do grupo estudado, obtiveram alta qualidade de vida. Sugere-se que essa estratégia de enfrentamento pode ser mais estimulada em pacientes de cuidados paliativos (15) .…”