Iranian cancer patients’ perception of spirituality: a qualitative content analysis study

Abstract

BackgroundSpirituality is a subjective and multi-dimensional concept. The ambiguity in its meaning can create barriers in its application in both education and medicine. The present study aimed to explore the Iranian cancer patients’ perception of spirituality.MethodsA qualitative study, using the content analysis approach, was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were held with 11 cancer patients and six members of their families in one of Tehran’s hospitals and a charity institute. The data generated were transcribed verbatim and content analysis approach was used for data reduction, naming data, obtaining analytical code and determining categories and themes.ResultsThree themes (and seven sub-themes) emerged from the data analysis: 1) God as the spiritual truth (relationship with God and trust in God), 2) Moralities as a spiritual sign (considering personal and social moral codes) and 3) Spiritual resources as the source of hope (religious, personal and social resources).ConclusionsOverall, in the view of cancer patients, spirituality can be defined in a religious context. However, some of them believe in morality beside religiosity, so health care staff must pay due attention to these aspects, to provide them with the opportunity to use spiritual resources.

Spiritual Therapy to Improve the Spiritual Well-Being of Iranian Women with Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Iran is a religious country and 98% of its population are Muslims [70]. Qualitative studies from Iran showed that spiritual approach is the major coping strategy to respond to cancer and Iranian cancer patients consider spirituality as a source of hope [18, 71–73]. The faith component of spirituality is most often associated with religion and religious belief, whereas the meaning component of spirituality appears to be a more universal concept [74].…”

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“…Asgeirsdottir et al (2013);Bentur et al (2014);Blinderman and Cherny (2005); Cooper (2011);Coward and Kahn (2004);Halstead and Hull (2001);Kawa et al (2003);Lindholm et al (2002);Rahnama et al (2012);Perreault and Bourbonnais (2005If the nausea comes, I fight it. You're not going to vomit, no, no!…”

Spiritual Therapy in Coping with Cancer as a Complementary Medical Preventive Practice

“…However, the results of spiritual therapy in terms of spiritual well-being and its relation with QOL are not well-documented. Qualitative studies from Iranian Muslim cancer patients showed that the spiritual approach is the major coping strategy by which they respond to cancer, considering that spirituality is a source of hope and peace, as reported by some independent results from Iran 20–23. The faith concept of spirituality is connected with spiritual and religious belief, whereas the meaning component of spirituality may be a more universal component 24.…”