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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2/2009

01-10-2009 | Original Article

The Role of Spirituality in the Relationship Between Religiosity and Depression in Prostate Cancer Patients

Authors: Christian Nelson, Ph.D., Colleen M. Jacobson, Ph.D., Mark I. Weinberger, Ph.D., Vidhya Bhaskaran, B.S., Barry Rosenfeld, Ph.D., William Breitbart, M.D., Andrew J. Roth, M.D.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 2/2009

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop a theoretical framework of the relationship among religiosity, spirituality, and depression, potentially explaining the often mixed and inconsistent associations between religiosity and depression.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 367 men (average age of 66 ± 9 years) with prostate cancer completed measures of religiosity (extrinsic/intrinsic), spirituality (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Spiritual Well-Being Scale), quality of life (FACT-G), and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale).

Results

There was a small relationship between intrinsic religiosity and depression (r = −0.23, p < 0.05) but a strong association between spirituality and depression (r = −0.58, p < 0.01). Using a mediation model, the meaning/peace subscale of the spirituality measure mediated the relationship between intrinsic religiosity and depression. This model controlled for age, marital status, stage of disease, time since diagnosis, hormone therapy, quality of life, and anxiety.

Conclusions

When examining religiosity and spirituality, the main component that may help reduce depression is a sense of meaning and peace. These results highlight the potential importance of developing a patient’s sense of meaning through activities/interventions (not exclusive to religious involvement) to achieve this goal.
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Metadata
Title
The Role of Spirituality in the Relationship Between Religiosity and Depression in Prostate Cancer Patients
Authors
Christian Nelson, Ph.D.
Colleen M. Jacobson, Ph.D.
Mark I. Weinberger, Ph.D.
Vidhya Bhaskaran, B.S.
Barry Rosenfeld, Ph.D.
William Breitbart, M.D.
Andrew J. Roth, M.D.
Publication date
01-10-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2009
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-009-9139-y

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