title: Image of God, religion, spirituality, and life changes in breast cancer survivors: a qualitative approach.
abstract: Religion and spirituality are much studied coping mechanisms; however, their relationship to changes in behaviors, relationships, and goals is unclear. This study explored the impact of a breast cancer diagnosis on religion/faith and changes in behaviors, relationship, or goals. In this qualitative study, women, who participated in a larger, quantitative study, completed written responses to questions regarding the role of religion/faith in their lives, the impact of their diagnosis on their image of God and on faith/religious beliefs, and any changes in behaviors, relationships, or life goals were examined. Based on previous findings noting differences in psychological outcomes based on a higher (HE) or lesser (LE) engaged view of God, 28 (14 HE; 14 LE) women were included in the analysis. Awareness of life and its fleeting nature was common to all. Ensuing behaviors varied from a need to focus on self-improvement-egocentrism (LE)-to a need to focus on using their experiences to help others-altruism (HE). Study results suggest that seemingly small, but highly meaningful, differences based on one's worldview result in considerably different attitudinal and behavioral outcomes.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Louisville, 555 S. Floyd St., #4057, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA, jaschr07@louisville.edu.
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Edward
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001061:Appalachian Region; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D029181:Spirituality; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
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