Premium
Evaluation of intrapsychic factors, coping styles, and spirituality of patients affected by tumors
Author(s) -
Vespa Anna,
Jacobsen Paul B.,
Spazzafumo Liana,
Balducci Lodovico
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1719
Subject(s) - cronbach's alpha , spirituality , coping (psychology) , psychology , clinical psychology , psychometrics , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Background : In this study, we consider spirituality in terms of interpersonal, transpersonal, and intrapsychic processes. The goal of this study is to establish whether a spiritual perspective is correlated with more effective coping skills and intrapsychic processes. Methodology : Patients: Lung ( n = 88, n. (age 62.8±10.1)) and large bowel cancer ( n = 56; age (age 60.1±11.4)) (all stages). Tests : SASB Questionnaire by L.S. Benjamin—intrapsychic processes; Scale of Coping Styles by A. Jalowiech; Brief Measure of Spirituality (BMMS); Spiritual Well Being Index by T. Daaleman and B. Bruce. Results : There is a significant correlation among inner spirituality (IS) (Cronbach's α = 0.692), spiritual coping (SC) (Cronbach's α = 0.935) (described total variability—BMMS) and Spiritual Well Being (SWB) (Cronbach's α = 0.759). (Significant correlation among the three scales, Cronbach's α = 0.676.) The patients with high spirituality are more prone to develop their potentialities and capacities. They (with IS and SC) have more effective coping mechanisms with stressful situations (SASB Cl 3: Self‐supporting and appreciate and IS = p <0.002; and SC = p <0.001. They care for themselves by developing their own capacities and potentialities—SASB Cl 5: Self‐control and IS p = 0.033; and SC p = 0.037. The profile of patients with lower intrinsic spirituality and SC scores suggest ineffective coping with high risk of depression, self‐neglect both in the physical and emotional dimensions, and of self‐abuse (SASB Cl 8: Self‐criticism and IS p = 0.033; SC p = 0.044). Conclusion : The presence of a spiritual dimension may be a marker of patients with a good adaptation to cancer treatment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.