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Spiritual and religious coping and depression among family caregivers of pediatric cancer patients in Latin America
Author(s) -
Vitorino Luciano Magalhães,
LopesJúnior Luís Carlos,
Oliveira Gabriela Hernandes,
Tenaglia Mariane,
Brunheroto Andressa,
Cortez Paulo José Oliveira,
Lucchetti Giancarlo
Publication year - 2018
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.4739
Subject(s) - coping (psychology) , medicine , depressive symptoms , clinical psychology , demographics , beck depression inventory , depression (economics) , proto oncogene tyrosine protein kinase src , cancer , logistic regression , mental health , psychiatry , demography , psychology , anxiety , receptor , sociology , economics , macroeconomics
Objective Several studies have shown that spiritual/religious beliefs are associated with mental health and quality of life. However, so far, no study assessed the relationship between spiritual/religious coping (SRC) and depressive symptoms in family caregivers (FCs) of pediatric cancer patients, particularly in Latin America. This study aimed to investigate whether Positive and Negative SRC strategies are associated with depressive symptoms in FCs of pediatric cancer patients in Brazil. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional study comprising 77 FCs of pediatric cancer patients from one Brazilian Pediatric Oncology Institute. Spiritual/religious coping was assessed using the Brief SRC scale, and depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory. Multiple regression models were performed to identify factors associated with SRC of FCs and their depressive symptoms. Results In the unadjusted linear regression models, depressive symptoms were positively associated with Negative SRC ( B = 0.401; P < .001; Adjusted R 2 = 16.1%) but not with Positive SRC ( B = 0.111; P = .334). After adjusting for socio‐demographics, religious practice/faith, and health, Negative SRC remained associated with depressive symptoms ( B = 3.56; P = .01; Adjusted R 2 = 37.8%). In the logistic regression models, depressive symptoms were positively associated with Negative SRC (OR = 3.68; 95% CI, 1.46‐9.25; P = .006), but not with Positive SRC (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, .69‐3.22; P = .309). After adjustments, Negative SRC remained significant (OR = 4.01; 95% CI, 1.21‐13.33; P = .023). Conclusions Negative SRC was associated with depressive symptoms in FCs of pediatric cancer patients. Health professionals must be aware of the use of Negative SRC strategies in oncology care.