RELIGIOUS COPING AND HEART-TRANSPLANTATION - FROM THREAT TO HEALTH

Previous research has established the existence of homogeneous religio us coping profiles in cardiac-transplantation candidates labeled as th e deferring/collaboratars, self-directors, and the eclectic religious copers. However, their prospective impact on outcome has not yet been established. This paper examines potential differences between pre-car diac transplantation religious coping cluster groups on post-cardiac t ransplantation quality of life (physical functioning, mental health, a nd general health). Results indicated that the religious coping profil es of deferring/collaborators and self-directors had significantly bet ter scores on mental health and general health than did the eclectics. Implications for religious-coping research and clinical practice are discussed.