title: Exploring the role of religiosity and spirituality in amniocentesis decision-making among Latinas.
abstract: Given the complex array of emotional and medical issues that may arise when making a decision about amniocentesis, women may find that their spiritual and/or religious beliefs can comfort and assist their decision-making process. Prior research has suggested that Latinas' spiritual and/or religious beliefs directly influence their amniocentesis decision. A more intimate look into whether Latinas utilize their beliefs during amniocentesis decision-making may provide an opportunity to better understand their experience. The overall goal of this study was to describe the role structured religion and spirituality plays in Latinas' daily lives and to evaluate how religiosity and spirituality influences health care decisions, specifically in prenatal diagnosis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven women who were invited to describe their religious beliefs and thoughts while considering the option of amniocentesis. All participants acknowledged the influence of religious and/or spiritual beliefs in their everyday lives. Although the women sought comfort and found validation in their beliefs and in their faith in God's will during their amniocentesis decision-making process, results suggest the risk of procedure-related complications played more of a concrete role than their beliefs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, UT Health-The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Medical School, Houston, TX, USA. sarah.a.seth@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Sarah Guerra
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Seth
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Goka
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harbison
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hollier
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Lois
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ramondetta
authors.forename: Sarah Jane
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Noblin
mesh_terms: D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D029181:Spirituality