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

Abstract

Background: Patients generally turn to religion and spirituality when coping with the diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess psychosocial problems in relation to spiritual orientation and religious coping among Muslim oncology patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional, correlational study enrolled 406 oncology inpatient participants. Participants completed the Distress Thermometer, the Religious Coping Styles Scale, the Spiritual Orientation Scale, and the The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General Quality of Life Scale.

Results: As the spiritual orientation levels of the participants increased, use of a positive religious coping strategy also increased and distress levels decreased. In addition, general perceived quality of health increased as spiritual orientation levels and positive religious coping strategy use increased. Participants reported using prayer, daily prayer attendance, offerings, and consulting religious experts to seek healing.

Conclusions: Oncology patients in Turkey experience increased spiritual orientation levels while coping with illness-related psychosocial problems and use positive religious coping methods.

Implications for practice: The religious beliefs and spiritual orientations of Turkish oncology patients affect their cancer experience, their care, and their quality of life. Determining the religious and spiritual coping methods used by patients to cope with illness-related psychosocial problems may make it easier for nurses to plan patient-specific nursing care.