Religious dimensions of suffering from and coping with cancer: a comparative study of Jewish and Christian patients.
BACKGROUND
The major aim of this research was to study religious coping styles among Christian and Jewish patients suffering from cancer. In addition, the empirical results were compared with the Jewish and Christian traditions of suffering.


METHODS
A total of 100 Jewish and Christian cancer patients in Switzerland and in Israel consented to being interviewed about their religious coping styles.


METHODS
For the collection and analysis of data, a grounded theory approach was applied. For the comparison of the empirical data with the traditional Jewish and Christian scriptures, content analysis and hermeneutics were used.


RESULTS
The analysis shows that patients of both religious used the same five coping strategies. This research demonstrates that for most patients -- though not for all -- religiousness has great potential as a resource to help them coping in positive ways with cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
This resource should be utilized for the patients' benefit and further studied.
Kappeli
Silvia
S
Department of Nursing Research and Development, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Silvia.Kaeppeli@usz.ch
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002835:Christianity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007599:Judaism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology