Religious-spiritual coping among family members of children requiring continuous and complex care: a mixed-methods...

to analyze the use of religious-spiritual coping among family members of children who require continuous and complex care.

a mixed-methods study was developed in Brazil with family members of children requiring continuous and complex care. In the quantitative stage, 51 family members answered a demographics survey and the Brief Scale for Spiritual/Religious Coping. In the qualitative stage, 15 family members answered an open-ended question about the practice of religiosity and spirituality in their daily lives.

family members' age and number of residents in the household were significantly associated with religious-spiritual coping. Three thematic categories emerged from the statements, revealing an experience marked by trust in God's designs and relief from suffering provided by faith.

family members in this study used positive religious-spiritual coping strategies more frequently, especially those from smaller families. However, younger family members used negative religious-spiritual coping strategies more frequently.