Open AccessThe spiritual beliefs of cancer survivors: A thematic analysis
Author(s) -
Devaki Nandan Sharma,
Gyanesh Kumar Tiwari,
Pramod Kumar
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
psychology, community and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2182-438X
DOI - 10.5964/pch.v8i1.290
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , spirituality , perception , psychology , interpersonal communication , quality of life (healthcare) , qualitative research , cognition , social psychology , psychotherapist , medicine , alternative medicine , sociology , psychiatry , social science , pathology , neuroscience
Aim This study explored the nature of spiritual beliefs and their role in regulating various life outcomes of cancer survivors. Method A heterogeneous sample of thirty diagnosed cancer patients with age ranging from 18 to 75 years participated in the study. The study employed a qualitative research design which involved semi-structured interviews and the thematic analysis of the audiotaped contents of these interviews. Results The analyses led to five themes regarding the spiritual beliefs of the participants. The identified themes were: “optimistic change towards life”, “fighting spirit towards life”, “enhanced trust in family and friends”, “improved realistic self-perception”, and “positive thinking with future orientations”. Conclusions The findings of the study showed that spiritual beliefs represented a complex phenomenon comprising cognitive, affective and behavioural components. Spiritual beliefs also carried many positive outcomes to regain and maintain psychological balance, well-being, quality of life and health. It also facilitated the patients to have strong desires to compensate their losses due to ill health by setting and achieving higher spiritual, social and interpersonal goals by carrying out social services, sacrifice and altruistic deeds.