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Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 5/2017

01-10-2017 | Original Paper

The Relationships Between Spiritual Well-Being, Quality of Life, and Psychological Factors Before Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

Authors: Sara J. Walker, Yiyi Chen, Kyungjeen Paik, Brandy Mirly, Charles R. Thomas Jr., Arthur Y. Hung

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 5/2017

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Abstract

Given shifting trends of religious identities in the USA, better understanding the impact of patients’ religious identities on health-related quality of life (QOL) may help tailor the use of psychological interventions. Men with prostate cancer (N = 43) completed measures of quality of life (QOL), spiritual well-being in two domains (i.e., Faith and Meaning/Peace), psychological state, and psychological trait before undergoing radiotherapy. We hypothesized that (1) higher existential Meaning/Peace would correlate with higher QOL and psychological trait protective factors (e.g., Agreeableness) and that (2) higher existential Meaning/Peace would correlate with lower depression, anxiety, and Neuroticism (i.e., a psychological trait risk factor). We did not anticipate similar relationships between religious Faith and QOL, depression, anxiety, or psychological traits and consider related analyses to be exploratory in nature. Meaning/Peace was indeed negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and Neuroticism. Meaning/Peace was positively correlated with Physical, Social, Functional, and Emotional well-being, as well as Extraversion. Religious Faith was positively associated with Functional well-being, but not the other state, trait, or QOL domains. In sum, prostate cancer patients’ sense of existential Meaning/Peace prior to radiotherapy was associated with well-being in many domains, whereas religious Faith appeared less so.
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Metadata
Title
The Relationships Between Spiritual Well-Being, Quality of Life, and Psychological Factors Before Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors
Sara J. Walker
Yiyi Chen
Kyungjeen Paik
Brandy Mirly
Charles R. Thomas Jr.
Arthur Y. Hung
Publication date
01-10-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 5/2017
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0352-2

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