Open AccessPerceived and actual change in religion/spirituality in cancer survivors: Longitudinal relationships with distress and perceived growth.
Author(s) -
Kelly M. Trevino,
Aanand D. Naik,
Jennifer Moye
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
psychology of religion and spirituality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1941-1022
pISSN - 1943-1562
DOI - 10.1037/rel0000030
Subject(s) - psychology , anxiety , spirituality , distress , posttraumatic growth , clinical psychology , depression (economics) , observational study , faith , cancer , longitudinal study , religiosity , psychiatry , medicine , social psychology , philosophy , alternative medicine , theology , pathology , economics , macroeconomics
This observational cohort study examined the relationships between actual and perceived R/S change at 12 months post cancer diagnosis with depression, anxiety, and perceived growth 6 months later. Older adult military veteran cancer survivors ( n = 111) completed self-report surveys at 6, 12, and 18 months post cancer diagnosis. Perceived R/S change was assessed at 12 months postdiagnosis with "Have your religious or spiritual beliefs changed as a result of your cancer" (more R/S, less R/S, other). Actual R/S change was assessed at 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis on a single item, "I have faith in God or a Higher Power" ( no, somewhat, yes ). A notable minority reported perceived (18.9%) and actual (14.4%) change. Greater perceived R/S change predicted more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety and greater perceived growth at 18 months postdiagnosis; perceived growth was positively associated with anxiety. Cancer survivors who report R/S changes may benefit from spiritual and/or psychological support.