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. 2019 Aug;58(4):1115-1124.
doi: 10.1007/s10943-018-0646-7.

Religion, Culture and Meaning-Making Coping: A Study Among Cancer Patients in Turkey

Fereshteh Ahmadi  1 , Pelin Erbil  2 , Nader Ahmadi  3 , Önver A Cetrez  4
Affiliations

Religion, Culture and Meaning-Making Coping: A Study Among Cancer Patients in Turkey

Fereshteh Ahmadi et al. J Relig Health. 2019 Aug.

Abstract

The present paper looks at the influence of culture on Turkish cancer patients' use of meaning-making coping, paying particular attention to religious, spiritual, and existential coping methods. Data were collected using an interview study (n = 25, 18 women, age range 20-71). Individuals were recruited at an oncology center and a psychiatry clinic in Istanbul. The main focus of the study has been on existential meaning-making coping, which is characterized by finding power inside oneself, altruism, family love, a search for meaning by contemplating philosophical issues, and having a positive life perspective (shukran-thankfulness). In contrast to findings from similar studies conducted in other countries (studies included in the same project), in Turkey religious belief directly determines the coping methods used, including the non-religious methods.

Keywords: Cancer; Coping; Culture; Meaning-making coping; Religion; Turkey.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

References

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