Integrating religious resources within a general model of stress and coping: Long-term adjustment to breast cancer

The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to explore the role of religious resources in long-term adjustment to breast cancer. A sample of fifty-two survivors was assessed on indices of religious resources (e.g., i mage of God), nonreligious resources (e.g., cognitive appraisal) and emotio nal and spiritual well-being. Results indicated that both relationship with God/God image and religious coping behaviour were related to the nonreligi ous mediator variables of cognitive appraisal and coping in response to the current cancer situation. Various experiences of relationship with God (e. g., Presence) were related to more positive appraisals of the current cance r situation as well as to the greater use of the nonreligious coping behavi our of focusing on the positive. In contrast, religious coping behaviours d emonstrated more complex associations with cognitive appraisal and nonrelig ious coping factors. The same coping behaviour, for example religious avoid ance, could be related to both positive and negative appraisals of the canc er situation. Finally, religious resources, but not nonreligious resources predicted emotional and spiritual well-being for these long-term breast can cer survivors.