Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Whole Body Vibration Methods with Survivors of Polio
Published on: October 17, 2018
Spirituality and Emotional Distress Among Lung Cancer Survivors
Lisa M Gudenkauf1, Matthew M Clark1, Paul J Novotny2
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Background:
Emerging research is highlighting the importance of spirituality in cancer survivorship as well as the importance of early distress screening. The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine the relationships among spirituality, emotional distress, and sociodemographic variables during the early period of lung cancer survivorship.
Patients And Methods:
Eight hundred sixty-four lung cancer survivors completed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being, and the Short-Form-8 for emotional distress within the first year after lung cancer diagnosis, and 474 of these survivors completed the survey again 1 year later.
Results:
At baseline, spirituality was associated with lower prevalence of emotional distress, being married, fewer years of cigarette smoking, and better Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status. Additionally, high baseline spirituality was associated with lower rates of high emotional distress at 1-year follow-up.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that spirituality might serve as a protective factor for emotional distress among lung cancer survivors. Further research is warranted to explore the role of spirituality in promoting distress management among lung cancer survivors.
Related Concept Videos
Physiology of Emotion
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a critical role in emotional responses by regulating involuntary physiological functions. It consists of two main components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system...
Emotional Expression
Universal Facial Expressions
Psychologist Paul Ekman identified seven basic...
Labeling Emotion
Lung Capacity
Introduction to Motivation and Emotion
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

