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- Title
Spiritual well-being and depressive symptoms among cancer survivors.
- Authors
Gonzalez, Patricia; Castañeda, Sheila; Dale, Jennifer; Medeiros, Elizabeth; Buelna, Christina; Nuñez, Alicia; Espinoza, Rebeca; Talavera, Gregory
- Abstract
Purpose: Depression is common among patients diagnosed with cancer and may be inversely associated with spiritual well-being. While numerous strategies are employed to manage and cope with illness, spiritual well-being has become increasingly important in cancer survivorship research. This study examined the association between spiritual well-being and depressive symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized self-report data from 102 diverse cancer survivors recruited from peer-based cancer support groups in San Diego County. Depression was measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) and spiritual well-being was measured with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being (FACIT-Sp) comprised of two subscales (Meaning/Peace and Faith). Results: Hierarchal regression analysis indicated that Meaning/Peace significantly predicted depressive symptoms after adjusting for socio-demographics, cancer stage, time since diagnosis, and Faith ( p < .001). Conclusions: Findings suggest that Spiritual Well-Being is a valuable coping mechanism and that Meaning/Peace has a unique advantage over Faith in protecting cancer survivors from the effects of depression symptoms; therefore, turning to Faith as source of strength may improve psychological well-being during survivorship. Implications: Future programs and healthcare providers should be cognizant of the influential role of spiritual well-being in depression symptoms in an effort to improve psychological well-being among cancer survivors.
- Subjects
CANCER patient psychology; SPIRITUAL well-being; MENTAL depression; PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation; PSYCHOLOGICAL well-being
- Publication
Supportive Care in Cancer, 2014, Vol 22, Issue 9, p2393
- ISSN
0941-4355
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00520-014-2207-2