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Awakening the Spiritual Identity in Adolescents With Cancer: A Phenomenological Study
Nadeen Sami Alshakhshir1, Verna L Hendricks-Ferguson, Earlise Ward
1Author Affiliations: School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minnesota (Dr Alshakhshir); School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, Missouri (Dr Hendricks-Ferguson); and School of Medicine and Public Health (Dr Ward) and School of Nursing (Drs Ersig and Montgomery), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin.
Adolescents with cancer experience spiritual identity awakening as a cyclical process, drawing strength from spiritual foundations and family connections. This understanding can help nurses support spirituality as a coping mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent psychology
- Oncology nursing
- Qualitative research
Background:
- Spirituality's positive impact on adolescent cancer patients is under-researched.
- Awakening spiritual identity may be a key coping mechanism for these patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- Describe the spiritual identity awakening process in adolescents with cancer.
- Identify factors influencing this process.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative empirical phenomenological approach.
- 10 adolescents participated in graphing-timeline activities and interviews.
- Data analyzed using an adapted Colaizzi's method.
Main Results:
- Identified 4 theme categories and 12 themes.
- The process is cyclical and ongoing.
- Adolescents connect with the transcendent, drawing strength from spiritual foundations and family.
Conclusions:
- Revealed the essential structure of spiritual identity awakening in adolescents with cancer.
- Highlighted facilitating and hindering factors.
- Informs nursing practice to support spirituality as a coping strategy.
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