The experience of spirituality in the psycho-social adaptation of cancer survivors.
This article presents the results of a retrospective, phenomenological study of the experience of spirituality in the psychosocial adaptation of cancer survivors. The experience of illness for the participants in the study is one which promotes greater personal and spiritual growth. The study demonstrates that illness provokes personal growth and transformation in the individual. While making use of pre-existing coping resources, the person with cancer reevaluates and restructures her or his life, integrating new values, priorities, and perspectives which lead the patient to invest her or his life in something meaningful and beneficial to others.
Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, PO Box 450, Station A, Ottawa, Ontario, KIN 6N5.
André
A
Samson
Barbara
B
Zerter
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002170:Canada; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D029181:Spirituality; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors