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Integrating Religious Resources Within a General Model of Stress and Coping: Long-Term Adjustment to Breast Cancer

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Abstract

The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to explore the role of religious resources in long-term adjustment to breast cancer. A sample of fifty-two survivors was assessed on indices of religious resources (e.g., image of God), nonreligious resources (e.g., cognitive appraisal) and emotional and spiritual well-being. Results indicated that both relationship with God/God image and religious coping behaviour were related to the nonreligious mediator variables of cognitive appraisal and coping in response to the current cancer situation. Various experiences of relationship with God (e.g., Presence) were related to more positive appraisals of the current cancer situation as well as to the greater use of the nonreligious coping behaviour of focusing on the positive. In contrast, religious coping behaviours demonstrated more complex associations with cognitive appraisal and nonreligious coping factors. The same coping behaviour, for example religious avoidance, could be related to both positive and negative appraisals of the cancer situation. Finally, religious resources, but not nonreligious resources predicted emotional and spiritual well-being for these long-term breast cancer survivors.

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  1. Faculty of Human Sciences, St. Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Terry Lynn Gall

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  1. Terry Lynn Gall
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Gall, T.L. Integrating Religious Resources Within a General Model of Stress and Coping: Long-Term Adjustment to Breast Cancer. Journal of Religion and Health 39, 167–182 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004670717144

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