Families' use of religion/spirituality as a psychosocial resource.
The hospitalization of a child is stressful for a family. Turning to religion/spirituality (R/S) is a potential coping mechanism. Using an integration of Antonovsky's salutogenic model and human ecological theory, this study sought to determine if there is a relationship between the use of R/S as a psychosocial resource and the ability of the family to cope with the stress of child hospitalization. Although findings were inconclusive, a majority of families believed that R/S was important in helping them cope and that their beliefs and practices influenced their choice to use R/S as a resource. Implications for health care providers and administrators are discussed.
Kloosterhouse
Vicki
V
Allied Health, Oakland Community College, Waterford, Michigan, USA.
Ames
Barbara D
BD
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized; D029221:Faith Healing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires