Spirituality among Latino caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: A qualitative study.

Abstract

180 Background: Caregivers of cancer patients often face significant physical, social, and emotional distress. There has been limited research on the association between Latino Caregivers’ spirituality/religiosity, meaning, and spiritual pain. Methods: We interviewed 336 Latino Caregivers of patients at Palliative Care clinics in Chile, Guatemala, and the US. Five open-ended questions were asked about spirituality, religion, meaning, and spiritual pain. Answers were transcribed and data analyzed. The analytic framework was based on an interpretive phenomenological analysis. Initial themes were grouped into themes, connections between themes were developed until a thematic rationale was achieved. Results: Latino caregivers’spirituality and religious beliefs were described as an anchor during the painful witnessing of a loved-ones’suffering. Main themes emerged about relationships, inner strength, hope, and acceptance/reconciliation. It was reported as an integrative force to help them to cultivate hope and love walking through their love one’s illness and their journey as caregivers. They expressed meaning as a manifestation of spirituality together with their love to others(spouse, family, others). The presence of Spiritual Pain was common and manifested as suffering and potential loss of loved ones, and broken relationship with Higher Power, that triggered a profound experience of their own pain(both spiritual and emotional) and their own quality of life. This was expressed in physical terms such as “heartache” and “soul ache.” Through discernment, prayer, and relationships with loved-ones, spirituality was integrated as a healing force during the caregiver journey. Spirituality was reported as a substance of hope weaved into an integrative process, as caregivers reconciled the tension of faith with sorrow. Conclusions: Spirituality and religious beliefs are reported as fundamental for Latino Caregivers. Despite these elements, Spiritual Pain is common and affects all aspects of their humanity. Most of them experienced a reconciliation experience with the broken relationships with themselves, with others or with Higher Power.

Social and Cultural Factors, Self-efficacy, and Health in Latino Cancer Caregivers

“…28 Spirituality has also been described as an anchor during the cancer caregiving experience for individuals who are Latino, with both internal and organizational spirituality resulting in lower perceived caregiver burden. 29,30 Latina individuals with breast cancer have described selecting caregivers on the basis of their religious beliefs. 31 Research has shown an inverse relationship between religious practice and life expectancy, although religious doubts or struggles, congregational criticism, or negative interpersonal religious experiences all may affect health adversely.…”

“…This idea has been noted in a qualitative study, with caregivers describing the connection between their spiritual practice and family 28 . Spirituality has also been described as an anchor during the cancer caregiving experience for individuals who are Latino, with both internal and organizational spirituality resulting in lower perceived caregiver burden 29,30 . Latina individuals with breast cancer have described selecting caregivers on the basis of their religious beliefs 31 .…”

La espiritualidad desde la mirada de Terapia Ocupacional en el contexto de los Cuidados Paliativos

“…Como se mencionó anteriormente existe evidencia de que la espiritualidad, religiosidad y el dolor espiritual pueden influir en la angustia de los síntomas, la calidad de vida y las estrategias de afrontamiento de las personas con enfermedades avanzadas y terminales, y que pueden utilizarse como terapia integradora para promover el bienestar y la salud en general 11 . La presente revisión narrativa presenta un análisis de la observación a la espiritualidad desde la mirada de la TO en el contexto de los Cuidados Paliativos.…”