The religiosity/spirituality of Latina breast cancer survivors and influence on health‐related quality of life

Abstract

Objective-The study evaluated the association of religiosity/spirituality (R/S) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Latina breast cancer survivors (BCS) in order to determine whether R/S would be positively correlated with HRQOL and whether R/S would significantly influence HRQOL. Methods-The cross-sectional study utilized self-report data from 117 Latina BCS survivors. R/ S was measured with the Systems of Belief Inventory -15 Revised (SBI-15R) and HRQOL was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy -General (FACT-G). Analyses included calculation of descriptive statistics, t-tests, bivariate correlations, and multivariate analyses.Results-Latina BCS had very high levels of R/S and generally good HRQOL. The SBI-15R total score was positively correlated with FACT-G social well-being (r=0.266, p=0.005), relationship with doctor (r=0.219, p=0.020), and functional well-being (r=0.216, p=0.022). Multivariate analyses revealed that SBI-15R was a significant predictor of FACT-G functional well-being (p=0.041) and satisfaction with the relationship with the doctor (p=0.050), where higher levels of R/S predicted higher levels of well-being.Conclusions-Latina BCS had very high levels of R/S, which were significantly, positively correlated with dimensions of HRQOL (social well-being, functional well-being, relationship with doctor). Further, these high levels of R/S predicted better functional well-being and satisfaction with the patient-doctor relationship while controlling for potentially confounding variables. Implications are discussed.

Self-Image and Sexuality Issues among Young Women with Breast Cancer: Practical Recommendations

“…Coping with the challenges of cancer through religion and spirituality has been shown to be common amongst Hispanic/Latina survivors. This trend is consistent with a cultural framework that places high value on religiosity/spirituality 48,49 . Some studies have found that higher levels of religiosity/ spirituality are associated with positive reports of health-related quality of life in young Hispanic/Latina breast cancer survivors 48 .…”

“…This trend is consistent with a cultural framework that places high value on religiosity/spirituality 48,49 . Some studies have found that higher levels of religiosity/ spirituality are associated with positive reports of health-related quality of life in young Hispanic/Latina breast cancer survivors 48 . However, this finding is inconsistent in the literature, and does not focus on quality of life issues specific to body image and sexual functioning 50 .…”

Medicine for the Spirit: Religious Coping in Individuals with Medical Conditions

“…Because perceived helplessness and lack of self-assurance may inhibit seeking medical care, religious coping may indirectly encourage actual help-seeking behavior by obviating these obstacles to treatment. In a sample of Latina breast cancer patients, a composite measure of spiritual beliefs, practices, and support was linked to greater perceived positivity of one's relationship with one's physician [40]. It seems reasonable to presume that people with positive relationships with their physicians would be more likely to seek medical care and cooperate with the medical advice they receive.…”

“…Composite measures of public and private religious activities, traditional religious beliefs, and positive religious coping have been positively related to social support in samples with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and heart conditions [7,8,25,40]. In a study of Turkish women with breast cancer, seeking assistance from supernatural forces was related to better social functioning [73].…”

Religiosity and Spirituality in Military Veteran Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Perspective

“…For example, religiosity/spirituality (R/S) has been associated with better health-related quality of life (Canada, Murphy, Fitchett, Peterman, & Schover, 2008;Edmondson, Park, Blank, Fenster, & Mills, 2008;Wildes, Miller, de Majors, & Ramirez, 2009) and general mental health (Purnell, Andersen, & Wilmot, 2009), and lower levels of depression (Canada et al, 2008; and traumatic stress in cancer survivors (Purnell et al, 2009). Similarly, reliance on a benevolent relationship with God is associated with better emotional and interpersonal functioning (Agarwal, Hamilton, Crandell, Moore, 2010;Gall, 2004).…”