Spirituality and psychological well -being in women with breast cancer
Abstract
Epidemiology research examining physical health and spirituality is ubiquitous, although most of the work is analyzing spirituality as a protective factor against high blood pressure, suicide, alcoholism/substance abuse, and depression. Studies focused on spirituality and breast cancer have recently become an area of interest in the literature; however, the research is very new and there continues to be a significant amount of information unknown about this area. Some research suggests that spirituality may aid in slowing the progression of cancer by decreasing anxiety, which has been linked to increasing a compromised immune system. Spirituality has also been linked to encouraging a healthier lifestyle such as less alcohol and tobacco use. Although most of the spirituality research for physical health is favorable, there are some suggestions that spirituality may create an atmosphere of complacency with one's diagnosis as many spiritual individuals rely exclusively on prayer to resolve their health crisis. The current study examined the relatedness between the connection to one's religious community, level of spirituality, attachment to God, and psychological well-being in women with breast cancer. An hierarchal multiple regression revealed that negative attachment anxiety, negative collaboration with one's spiritual/religious community, and positive awareness of God/Higher Power were significant predictors of psychological well being. In addition, a MANOVA, with ethnicity (i.e., African American, Caucasian) as independent variables, found that African American woman reported significantly higher mean scores for awareness of God/Higher Power, grandiosity, instability, impression management, and deferring in their religious/spiritual coping. African American women with breast cancer also scored significantly lower mean scores on the Avoidance subscale of the Attachment to God scale. No significant differences were found for attachment anxiety or for psychological well being. The meaning of the findings and implications for counseling psychology practice and research are discussed.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Pistole, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Behaviorial sciences|Womens studies|Psychotherapy|Oncology
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