THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN HEART-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS LONG-TERM HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

While religion has long been recognized clinically to provide importan t coping strategies in the face of serious health problems, there has been little systematic consideration of its role in organ transplant r ecipients' long-term reactions and adjustment to this experience. This study examines these issues through qualitative and quantitative eval uation of longitudinal data collected from 40 adult heart recipients f ollowed during their first year post-transplant. Large proportions of recipients expressed strong beliefs and were able to increase religiou s participation over the 12-month study period. They delineated specif ic ways in which their faith had provided them support, as well as way s in which the transplant experience itself further strengthened their beliefs. We found empirical evidence that recipients with strong beli efs who participated in religious activities had better physical and e motional well-being, fewer health worries, and better medical complian ce by the final 12-month assessment. The findings suggest the developm ent of specific nursing, social-service, or pastoral-involvement strat egies, continuing staff education about the role of religion in patien t care. The implications of such interventions for maximizing quality of life in transplant recipients are discussed.