Beacon in the storm: an exploration of the spirituality and faith of parents whose children have cancer.
The purpose of this article is to describe the role of spirituality as a coping mechanism in the lives of parents of children with cancer. This exploratory study was conducted using a dominant-less dominant research design with phenomenology as the guiding theoretical orientation. Twelve parents (eight women and four men) were interviewed. Spirituality was described as playing a key role in the coping repertoire of these parents. In particular, spirituality's influence was described in both a religious and secularized manner with both aspects having a positive influence on coping behaviors among these parents. Health care professionals and nurses in particular have a role to play in facilitating access to spiritual resources as well as acknowledging and accepting the spiritual practices of the families they serve.
Schneider
Margaret A
MA
Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada. mschneider@wlu.ca
Mannell
Roger C
RC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D009864:Ontario; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D011340:Problem Solving; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012107:Research Design; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires