Luciano Magalhães Vitorino1, Luís Carlos Lopes-Júnior2, Gabriela Hernandes de Oliveira3, Mariane Tenaglia4, Andressa Brunheroto5, Paulo José Oliveira Cortez6, Giancarlo Lucchetti1. 1. School of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil. 2. Nursing Department, Center for Biological Sciences and Health of the Federal University of São Carlos-UFSCar, São Carlos, Brazil. 3. Internship in Ophthalmology at Hospital CEMA/SP, São Paulo, Brazil. 4. Pediatric Residency program at Hospital Infantil Cândido Fontoura (HICF), São Paulo, Brazil. 5. Internship in Otorhinolaryngology at Vera Cruz Hospital, Campinas, Brazil. 6. Faculty of Medicine of Itajubá, Itajubá, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Abstract
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 R2 = 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 R2 = 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.
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 cancerpatients, particularly in Latin America. This study aimed to investigate whether Positive and Negative SRC strategies are associated with depressive symptoms in FCs of pediatric cancerpatients in Brazil. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study comprising 77 FCs of pediatric cancerpatients 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 R2 = 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 R2 = 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 cancerpatients. Health professionals must be aware of the use of Negative SRC strategies in oncology care.