PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To explore the meaning, function, and focus of prayer for patients with advanced cancer, and to identify the effects of prayer on their coping. RESEARCH APPROACH: Qualitative, descriptive design using focus groups. SETTING: Three cancer centers that are part of a university-affiliated comprehensive cancer network in the northeastern United States. PARTICIPANTS: 13 adult, female outpatients receiving active treatment for ovarian or lung cancer. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: Two semistructured, focus group interviews were conducted. Audiotapes were transcribed verbatim. Data were coded and analyzed using standard content analysis procedures. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Prayer and coping. FINDINGS: Four themes emerged: finding one's own way, renewed appreciation for life, provision of strength and courage, and gaining a stronger spiritual connection. In addition, praying for others, conversational prayer, petitionary prayer, ritual prayer, and thanksgiving prayer were used most often by participants to cope. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support prayer as a positive coping mechanism for women with advanced ovarian or lung cancer. INTERPRETATION: The study provides knowledge about prayer as a source of spiritual and psychological support. Oncology nurses should consider the use of prayer for patients coping with advanced cancer.
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To explore the meaning, function, and focus of prayer for patients with advanced cancer, and to identify the effects of prayer on their coping. RESEARCH APPROACH: Qualitative, descriptive design using focus groups. SETTING: Three cancer centers that are part of a university-affiliated comprehensive cancer network in the northeastern United States. PARTICIPANTS: 13 adult, female outpatients receiving active treatment for ovarian or lung cancer. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: Two semistructured, focus group interviews were conducted. Audiotapes were transcribed verbatim. Data were coded and analyzed using standard content analysis procedures. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Prayer and coping. FINDINGS: Four themes emerged: finding one's own way, renewed appreciation for life, provision of strength and courage, and gaining a stronger spiritual connection. In addition, praying for others, conversational prayer, petitionary prayer, ritual prayer, and thanksgiving prayer were used most often by participants to cope. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support prayer as a positive coping mechanism for women with advanced ovarian or lung cancer. INTERPRETATION: The study provides knowledge about prayer as a source of spiritual and psychological support. Oncology nurses should consider the use of prayer for patients coping with advanced cancer.
Authors: Karin Jors; Arndt Büssing; Niels Christian Hvidt; Klaus Baumann Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2015-02-26 Impact factor: 2.629