The Relationship between Personality Traits and Marital Quality in Married Couples in Turkey

Psychosocial Problems in Relation to Spiritual Orientation and Religious Coping Among Oncology Muslim Patients

“…Patients usually turn to religion and spirituality when coping with the diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases 1–3 . Although the terms “spirituality” and “religion” are used by many people interchangeably, they are defined differently.…”

“…In this context, religious and spiritual beliefs and practices can be important strategies for coping with cancer 18,19 . However, previous literature reflects a belief that religious beliefs could affect medical decisions (eg, the decision to undergo chemotherapy and other life-saving treatments), contradict medical care, encourage patients to undertake spiritual struggles that cause stress and disrupt health outcomes, and prevent disease diagnosis and treatment adaptation 2,3,8 . In addition, religion has been reported to result in beliefs contrary to medical care, to cause spiritual struggles that lead to stress, and to negatively affect health outcomes, potentially creating a barrier between the detection of the disease and its appropriate treatment 8 …”

“…Religion is defined as an organized system of the shared beliefs and practices of a group of people 4 . Spirituality is described as the emotions, thoughts, experiences, and behaviors stemming from a search of the divine without any relation to a religious organization 2 . The North American Nursing Diagnoses Association has stated that spirituality is different from religion, whereas religion is an inseparable part of an individual’s spirituality 5 .…”

“…Whether religion has a determining or beneficial effect on the psychological and physical well-being of individuals is a well-discussed subject 2 . In certain studies on the subject, religion and spirituality had connections to both mental and physical health, thereby affecting patients’ well-being.…”

“…Pargament posited that both positive and negative religious coping increases when the physical health of an individual is disrupted 11 . Religious coping is closely related to physical and mental health events tied to critical life events, such as chronic diseases (eg, cancer), war, and the death of a loved one 2 . Religious coping can give an individual the feeling that God is helping him/her with life problems, thus providing a strong source of “finding meaning.” Individuals can achieve relaxation through religious/spiritual beliefs as well as other benefits, including emotional calmness, social support, and a way to assuage the fear of death 12 …”