Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 1/2016

01-02-2016 | Original Paper

Spiritual Coping: A Gateway to Enhancing Family Communication During Cancer Treatment

Authors: Anne M. Prouty, Judith Fischer, Ann Purdom, Everardo Cobos, Karen B. Helmeke

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 1/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

The researchers examined the spiritual coping, family communication, and family functioning of 95 participants in 34 families by an online survey. Multilevel linear regression was used to test whether individuals’ and families’ higher endorsement of more use of spiritual coping strategies to deal with a member’s cancer would be associated with higher scores on family communication and family functioning, and whether better communication would also be associated with higher family functioning scores. Results revealed that spiritual coping was positively associated with family communication, and family communication was positively associated with healthier family functioning. The researchers provide suggestions for further research.
Literature
go back to reference Anderson, J. R., Durtschi, J. A., Soloski, K. L., & Johnson, M. D. (2014). Mediation and moderation: Conceptual foundations and analytical applications. In R. B. Miller & L. N. Johnson (Eds.), Advanced methods in family therapy research: A focus on validity and change (pp. 347–365). New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis. Anderson, J. R., Durtschi, J. A., Soloski, K. L., & Johnson, M. D. (2014). Mediation and moderation: Conceptual foundations and analytical applications. In R. B. Miller & L. N. Johnson (Eds.), Advanced methods in family therapy research: A focus on validity and change (pp. 347–365). New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.
go back to reference Anderson, C. M., & Martin, P. G. (2003). Narratives and healing: One family’s stories of cancer survivorship. Health Communication, 15, 122–143. Anderson, C. M., & Martin, P. G. (2003). Narratives and healing: One family’s stories of cancer survivorship. Health Communication, 15, 122–143.
go back to reference Berástegui, A. (2007). La adaptación familiar en adopción internacional: Un proceso de estrés y afrontamiento. Anuario de Psicología, 38, 209–224. Berástegui, A. (2007). La adaptación familiar en adopción internacional: Un proceso de estrés y afrontamiento. Anuario de Psicología, 38, 209–224.
go back to reference Borneman, T., Stahl, C., Ferrell, B. R., & Smith, D. (2002). The concept of hope in family caregivers of cancer patients at home. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 4, 21–33. Borneman, T., Stahl, C., Ferrell, B. R., & Smith, D. (2002). The concept of hope in family caregivers of cancer patients at home. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 4, 21–33.
go back to reference Boss, P. (2006). Loss, trauma, and resilience: Therapeutic work with ambiguous loss. New York, NY: W. W. Norton. Boss, P. (2006). Loss, trauma, and resilience: Therapeutic work with ambiguous loss. New York, NY: W. W. Norton.
go back to reference Carver, C. S. (1997). You want to measure coping but your protocol’s too long: Consider the Brief COPE. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 92–100. Carver, C. S. (1997). You want to measure coping but your protocol’s too long: Consider the Brief COPE. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 92–100.
go back to reference Chang, B., Noonan, A. E., & Tennstedt, S. L. (1998). The role of religion/spirituality in coping with caregiving for disabled adults. The Gerontologist, 38, 463–470. Chang, B., Noonan, A. E., & Tennstedt, S. L. (1998). The role of religion/spirituality in coping with caregiving for disabled adults. The Gerontologist, 38, 463–470.
go back to reference Cigrang, J. A., Hryshko-Mullen, A., & Peterson, A. L. (2003). Spontaneous reports of religious coping by patients with chronic physical illness. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 10, 133–137.CrossRef Cigrang, J. A., Hryshko-Mullen, A., & Peterson, A. L. (2003). Spontaneous reports of religious coping by patients with chronic physical illness. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 10, 133–137.CrossRef
go back to reference Cohen, P., Dizenhuz, I. M., & Winget, C. (1977). Family adaptation to terminal illness and death of a parent. Social Casework, 58, 223–228. Cohen, P., Dizenhuz, I. M., & Winget, C. (1977). Family adaptation to terminal illness and death of a parent. Social Casework, 58, 223–228.
go back to reference Cowchock, F. S., Ellestad, S. E., Meador, K. G., Koenig, H. G., Hooten, E. G., & Swamy, G. K. (2011). Religiosity is an important part of coping with grief in pregnancy after a traumatic second trimester loss. Journal of Religion and Health, 50, 901–910. doi:10.1007/s10943-011-9528-y.PubMedCrossRef Cowchock, F. S., Ellestad, S. E., Meador, K. G., Koenig, H. G., Hooten, E. G., & Swamy, G. K. (2011). Religiosity is an important part of coping with grief in pregnancy after a traumatic second trimester loss. Journal of Religion and Health, 50, 901–910. doi:10.​1007/​s10943-011-9528-y.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Edwards, B., & Clarke, V. (2004). The psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis on families: The influence of family functioning and patients’ illness characteristics on depression and anxiety. Psycho-Oncology, 13, 562–576. doi:10.1002/pon.773. Edwards, B., & Clarke, V. (2004). The psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis on families: The influence of family functioning and patients’ illness characteristics on depression and anxiety. Psycho-Oncology, 13, 562–576. doi:10.​1002/​pon.​773.
go back to reference Gall, T. L. (2004). Relationships with God and the quality of life of prostate cancer survivors. Quality of Life Research, 13, 1357–1368. Gall, T. L. (2004). Relationships with God and the quality of life of prostate cancer survivors. Quality of Life Research, 13, 1357–1368.
go back to reference Garlan, R. W., Butler, L. D., Rosenbaum, E., Siegel, A., & Spiegel, D. (2010–2011). Perceived benefits and psychosocial outcomes of a brief existential family intervention for cancer patients/survivors. Omega: Journal of Death & Dying, 62, 243–268. doi:10.2190/OM.62.3.c. Garlan, R. W., Butler, L. D., Rosenbaum, E., Siegel, A., & Spiegel, D. (2010–2011). Perceived benefits and psychosocial outcomes of a brief existential family intervention for cancer patients/survivors. Omega: Journal of Death & Dying, 62, 243–268. doi:10.​2190/​OM.​62.​3.​c.
go back to reference Hamilton, J. B., Crandell, J. L., Kameron Carter, J., & Lynn, M. R. (2010). Reliability and validity of the perspectives of support from God scale. Nursing Research, 59, 102–109.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef Hamilton, J. B., Crandell, J. L., Kameron Carter, J., & Lynn, M. R. (2010). Reliability and validity of the perspectives of support from God scale. Nursing Research, 59, 102–109.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
go back to reference Hanline, M., & Daley, S. (1992). Family coping strategies and strengths in Hispanic, African American, and Caucasian families of young children. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 12, 351–366. doi:10.1177/027112149201200307.CrossRef Hanline, M., & Daley, S. (1992). Family coping strategies and strengths in Hispanic, African American, and Caucasian families of young children. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 12, 351–366. doi:10.​1177/​0271121492012003​07.CrossRef
go back to reference Harris, J. N., Hay, J., Kuniyuki, A., Asgari, M. M., Press, N., & Bowen, D. J. (2010). Using a family systems approach to investigate cancer risk communication with melanoma families. Psycho-Oncology, 19, 1102–1111. doi:10.1002/pon.1667. Harris, J. N., Hay, J., Kuniyuki, A., Asgari, M. M., Press, N., & Bowen, D. J. (2010). Using a family systems approach to investigate cancer risk communication with melanoma families. Psycho-Oncology, 19, 1102–1111. doi:10.​1002/​pon.​1667.
go back to reference Heck, R. H., Thomas, S., & Tabata, L. N. (2014). Multilevel and longitudinal modeling with IBM SPSS (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. Heck, R. H., Thomas, S., & Tabata, L. N. (2014). Multilevel and longitudinal modeling with IBM SPSS (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
go back to reference Howard, A. F., Bottorff, J. L., Balneaves, L. G., & Grewal, S. K. (2007). Punjabi immigrant women’s breast cancer stories. Journal of Immigrant Minority Health, 9, 269–279.PubMedCrossRef Howard, A. F., Bottorff, J. L., Balneaves, L. G., & Grewal, S. K. (2007). Punjabi immigrant women’s breast cancer stories. Journal of Immigrant Minority Health, 9, 269–279.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Idler, E. L., Musick, M. A., Ellison, C. G., George, L. K., Krause, N., Ory, M. G., et al. (2003). Measuring multiple dimensions of religion and spirituality for health research: Conceptual background and findings from the 1998 General Social Survey. Research on Aging, 25, 327–365. doi:10.1177/0164027503025004001.CrossRef Idler, E. L., Musick, M. A., Ellison, C. G., George, L. K., Krause, N., Ory, M. G., et al. (2003). Measuring multiple dimensions of religion and spirituality for health research: Conceptual background and findings from the 1998 General Social Survey. Research on Aging, 25, 327–365. doi:10.​1177/​0164027503025004​001.CrossRef
go back to reference Krageloh, C. U., Chai, P. P. M., Shepherd, D., & Billington, R. (2012). How religious coping is used relative to other coping strategies depends on the individual’s level of religiosity and spirituality. Journal of Religion and Health, 51, 1137–1151. doi:10.1007/s10943-010-9416-x.PubMedCrossRef Krageloh, C. U., Chai, P. P. M., Shepherd, D., & Billington, R. (2012). How religious coping is used relative to other coping strategies depends on the individual’s level of religiosity and spirituality. Journal of Religion and Health, 51, 1137–1151. doi:10.​1007/​s10943-010-9416-x.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Manne, S., Ostroff, J., Rini, C., Fox, K., Goldstein, L., & Grana, G. (2004). The interpersonal process model of intimacy: The role of self-disclosure, partner disclosure, and partner responsiveness in interactions between breast cancer patients and their partners. Journal of Family Psychology, 18, 589–599. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.18.4.589.PubMedCrossRef Manne, S., Ostroff, J., Rini, C., Fox, K., Goldstein, L., & Grana, G. (2004). The interpersonal process model of intimacy: The role of self-disclosure, partner disclosure, and partner responsiveness in interactions between breast cancer patients and their partners. Journal of Family Psychology, 18, 589–599. doi:10.​1037/​0893-3200.​18.​4.​589.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference McCubbin, H. I., Olson, D. H., & Larsen, A. (1981). Family crisis oriented personal scales (F-COPES). In H. I. McCubbin, A. I. Thompson, & M. A. McCubbin (Eds.), Family assessment: Resiliency, coping and adaptation: Inventories for research and practice (pp. 455–507). Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin System. McCubbin, H. I., Olson, D. H., & Larsen, A. (1981). Family crisis oriented personal scales (F-COPES). In H. I. McCubbin, A. I. Thompson, & M. A. McCubbin (Eds.), Family assessment: Resiliency, coping and adaptation: Inventories for research and practice (pp. 455–507). Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin System.
go back to reference Northouse P. G., & Northouse L. L. (1987). Communication and cancer: Issues confronting patients, health professionals, and family members. The Journal of Psychological Oncology, 5, 17–46. doi:10.1300/J077v05n03_02.CrossRef Northouse P. G., & Northouse L. L. (1987). Communication and cancer: Issues confronting patients, health professionals, and family members. The Journal of Psychological Oncology, 5, 17–46. doi:10.​1300/​J077v05n03_​02.CrossRef
go back to reference Olson D. H., & Gorall D. M. (2003). Circumplex model of marital and family systems. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Normal Family Processes (3rd ed., pp. 514–547). New York, NY: Guilford Press. Olson D. H., & Gorall D. M. (2003). Circumplex model of marital and family systems. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Normal Family Processes (3rd ed., pp. 514–547). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
go back to reference Oxman, T. E., Freeman, D. H., & Manheimer, E. D. (1995). Lack of social participation or religious strength and comfort as a risk factor for death after cardiac surgery in the elderly. Psychosomatic Medicine, 57, 5–15. Oxman, T. E., Freeman, D. H., & Manheimer, E. D. (1995). Lack of social participation or religious strength and comfort as a risk factor for death after cardiac surgery in the elderly. Psychosomatic Medicine, 57, 5–15.
go back to reference Ow, R., & Katz, D. (1999). Family secrets and the disclosure of distressful information in Chinese families. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 80, 620–628. doi:10.1606/1044-3894.1783.CrossRef Ow, R., & Katz, D. (1999). Family secrets and the disclosure of distressful information in Chinese families. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 80, 620–628. doi:10.​1606/​1044-3894.​1783.CrossRef
go back to reference Pargament, K. I., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. M. (2000). The many methods in religious coping: Development and initial validation of the RCOPE. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56, 519–543.PubMedCrossRef Pargament, K. I., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. M. (2000). The many methods in religious coping: Development and initial validation of the RCOPE. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56, 519–543.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Pargament, K. I., Smith, B. W., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. (1998). Patterns of positive and negative religious coping with major life stressors. Journal of Scientific Study of Religion, 37, 710–724.CrossRef Pargament, K. I., Smith, B. W., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. (1998). Patterns of positive and negative religious coping with major life stressors. Journal of Scientific Study of Religion, 37, 710–724.CrossRef
go back to reference Patterson, J. M. & Garwick, A. W. (1994). The impact of chronic illness on families: A family systems perspective. Annals of behavioral medicine, 16, 131–142. Patterson, J. M. & Garwick, A. W. (1994). The impact of chronic illness on families: A family systems perspective. Annals of behavioral medicine, 16, 131–142.
go back to reference Purnell, J. Q., Anderson, B. L., & Wilmot, J. P. (2009). Religious practice and spirituality in the psychological adjustment of survivors of breast cancer. Counseling and Values, 53, 165–181. Purnell, J. Q., Anderson, B. L., & Wilmot, J. P. (2009). Religious practice and spirituality in the psychological adjustment of survivors of breast cancer. Counseling and Values, 53, 165–181.
go back to reference Rolland, J. (1994). Families, illness, & disability: An integrative treatment model. New York, NY: Basic Books. Rolland, J. (1994). Families, illness, & disability: An integrative treatment model. New York, NY: Basic Books.
go back to reference Sadati, A. K., Lankarani, K. B., Gharibi, V., Fard, M. E., Ebrahimzadeh, N., & Tahmasebi, S. (2014). Religion as an empowerment context in the narrative of women with breast cancer. Journal of Religion and Health, 54, 1068–1079. doi:10.1007/s10943-014-9907-2.CrossRef Sadati, A. K., Lankarani, K. B., Gharibi, V., Fard, M. E., Ebrahimzadeh, N., & Tahmasebi, S. (2014). Religion as an empowerment context in the narrative of women with breast cancer. Journal of Religion and Health, 54, 1068–1079. doi:10.​1007/​s10943-014-9907-2.CrossRef
go back to reference Sherman, A. C., Plante, T. G., Simonton, S., Latif, U., & Anaissie, E. J. (2009). Prospective study of religious coping among patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 32, 118–128. doi:10.1007/s10865-008-9179-y.PubMedCrossRef Sherman, A. C., Plante, T. G., Simonton, S., Latif, U., & Anaissie, E. J. (2009). Prospective study of religious coping among patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 32, 118–128. doi:10.​1007/​s10865-008-9179-y.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Skaff, M. (1995). Religion in the stress process: Coping with caregiving. Paper presented at the annual scientific meeting of the gerontological society of America. Los Angeles, CA. Skaff, M. (1995). Religion in the stress process: Coping with caregiving. Paper presented at the annual scientific meeting of the gerontological society of America. Los Angeles, CA.
go back to reference Tarakeshwar, N., Vanderwerker, L. C., Paulk, E., Pearce, M. J., Kasl, S. V., & Prigerson, H. G. (2006). Religious coping is associated with the quality of life of patients with advance cancer. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 9, 646–657.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef Tarakeshwar, N., Vanderwerker, L. C., Paulk, E., Pearce, M. J., Kasl, S. V., & Prigerson, H. G. (2006). Religious coping is associated with the quality of life of patients with advance cancer. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 9, 646–657.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
go back to reference Theis, S. L., Biordi, D. L., Coeling, H., Nalepka, C., & Miller, B. (2003). Spirituality in caregiving and care receiving. Holistic Nursing Practice, 17, 48–55.PubMedCrossRef Theis, S. L., Biordi, D. L., Coeling, H., Nalepka, C., & Miller, B. (2003). Spirituality in caregiving and care receiving. Holistic Nursing Practice, 17, 48–55.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Thune-Boyle, I. C., Stygall, J., Keshtgar, M. R. S., Davidson, T. I., & Newman, S. P. (2011). The influence of religious/spiritual resources on finding positive benefits from a breast cancer diagnosis. Counseling and Spirituality, 30(1), 107–134. Thune-Boyle, I. C., Stygall, J., Keshtgar, M. R. S., Davidson, T. I., & Newman, S. P. (2011). The influence of religious/spiritual resources on finding positive benefits from a breast cancer diagnosis. Counseling and Spirituality, 30(1), 107–134.
go back to reference Thune-Boyle, I. C. V., Stygall, J., Keshtgar, M. R. S., Davidson, T. I., & Newman, S. P. (2013). Religious/spiritual coping resources and their relationship with adjustment in patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.K. Psycho-Oncology, 22, 646–658. doi:10.1002/pon.3048.PubMedCrossRef Thune-Boyle, I. C. V., Stygall, J., Keshtgar, M. R. S., Davidson, T. I., & Newman, S. P. (2013). Religious/spiritual coping resources and their relationship with adjustment in patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.K. Psycho-Oncology, 22, 646–658. doi:10.​1002/​pon.​3048.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Urcuyo, K. R., Boyers, A. E., Carver, C. S., & Antoni, M. H. (2005). Finding benefit in breast cancer: Relations with personality, coping, and concurrent well-being. Psychology and Health, 20, 175–192.CrossRef Urcuyo, K. R., Boyers, A. E., Carver, C. S., & Antoni, M. H. (2005). Finding benefit in breast cancer: Relations with personality, coping, and concurrent well-being. Psychology and Health, 20, 175–192.CrossRef
go back to reference Walsh, F., & Anderson, C. (1987). Chronic disorders and families: An overview. Journal of Psychotherapy & the Family, 3, 3–18.CrossRef Walsh, F., & Anderson, C. (1987). Chronic disorders and families: An overview. Journal of Psychotherapy & the Family, 3, 3–18.CrossRef
go back to reference Walsh, F., & McGoldrick, M. (2004). Loss and the family: A systemic perspective. In F. Walsh & M. McGoldrick (Eds.), Living beyond loss: Death in the family (2nd ed., pp. 3–26). New York, NY: W. W. Norton. Walsh, F., & McGoldrick, M. (2004). Loss and the family: A systemic perspective. In F. Walsh & M. McGoldrick (Eds.), Living beyond loss: Death in the family (2nd ed., pp. 3–26). New York, NY: W. W. Norton.
go back to reference Yanez, B., Edmondson, D., Stanton, A. L., Park, C. L., Kwan, L., Ganz, P.A., et al. (2009). Facets of spirituality as predictors of adjustment to breast cancer: Relative contributions of having faith and finding meaning. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77, 730–741. Yanez, B., Edmondson, D., Stanton, A. L., Park, C. L., Kwan, L., Ganz, P.A., et al. (2009). Facets of spirituality as predictors of adjustment to breast cancer: Relative contributions of having faith and finding meaning. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77, 730–741.
Metadata
Title
Spiritual Coping: A Gateway to Enhancing Family Communication During Cancer Treatment
Authors
Anne M. Prouty
Judith Fischer
Ann Purdom
Everardo Cobos
Karen B. Helmeke
Publication date
01-02-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0108-4

Other articles of this Issue 1/2016

Journal of Religion and Health 1/2016 Go to the issue