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How women with advanced cancer pray: a report from two focus groups
Amy Rex Smith1, Susan DeSanto-Madeya, John E Pérez
1College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA. amyrex.smith@umb.edu
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.
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