Optimism and Social Support as Contributing Factors to Spirituality in Cancer Patients

Background/objective: The impact a cancer diagnosis and its treatment are affected by psychosocial factors and how these factors interrelate among themselves. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between optimism and social support in spiritual wellbeing in cancer patients ini...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Ciria Suárez, Laura, Calderón Garrido, Caterina, Fernández Montes, Ana, Antoñanzas Basa, Mónica, Hernández San Gil, Raquel, Rogado Revuelta, Jacobo, Pacheco-Barcia, Vilma, Asensio Martínez, Elena, Palacín Lois, Maria, Jiménez Fonseca, Paula
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/177390
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/177390
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Malalts de càncer
Condicions socials
Optimisme
Espiritualitat
Cancer patients
Social conditions
Optimism
Spirituality
Descripción
Sumario:Background/objective: The impact a cancer diagnosis and its treatment are affected by psychosocial factors and how these factors interrelate among themselves. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between optimism and social support in spiritual wellbeing in cancer patients initiating chemotherapy. Methods: A cross-sectional, multi-center (15 sites), prospective study was conducted with 912 cancer patients who had undergone curative surgery for a stage I-III cancer and were to receive adjuvant chemotherapy. They completed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness-Spiritual Well-being Scale (FACIT-Sp), Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results: Significant differences on spirituality scales (meaning/peace and faith) were detected depending on age (≤ 65 vs > 65), sex, marital status, employment, and cancer treatment. Married or partnered participants had significantly higher meaning/peace scores compared to their non-partnered counterparts (p = 0.001). Women, > 65 years, unemployed, and patients treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy had significantly higher faith scores versus men, ≤ 65 years, employed, and subjects only receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (all p < 0.030). Multivariate analyses indicated that meaning/peace and faith correlated positively with optimism and social support. Conclusion: During oncological treatment, the positive effects of optimism and social support exhibit a positive correlation with spiritual coping. A brief assessment evaluation of these factors can aid in identifying at risk for a worse adaptation to the disease.