Spirituality, demographic and disease factors, and adjustment to cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between demographic-disease variables, spirituality, and psychosocial adjustment in a heterogeneous sample of patients with cancer.


METHODS
Participants (N = 83) accrued through the Rhode Island Hospital and the American Cancer Society completed questionnaires, and structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships among disease and demographic factors, spirituality, and psychosocial adjustment to cancer.


RESULTS
Of five models tested, a mediational model received the strongest support (chi-square(35)-66.61; P = .005; comparative fix index = .90; root mean square error of approximation = .09), explaining 64% of the variance in psychosocial adjustment. Being a woman, having a longer illness duration, and having a lower disease stage were related to greater levels of purpose in life and religious beliefs, which, in turn, were associated with higher levels of family and social adjustment and psychological health.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that spirituality can influence how patients with cancer adjust to their diagnosis and treatment and, thus, support the need for interventions that target spirituality to promote psychosocial adjustment in this population.
Schnoll
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RA
Fox Chase Cancer Center, 510 Township Line Road, Cheltenham, PA 19012, USA.
Harlow
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LL
Brower
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D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005086:Existentialism; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D010327:Pastoral Care; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012237:Rhode Island; D012494:Sampling Studies; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires