TY - CONF
T1 - Exploring Spirituality’s Role in Oncology Care
T2 - RSU Research week 2025: Society. Health. Welfare
AU - Bitēna, Daiga Katrīna
AU - Salmane-Kuļikovska, Ieva
AU - Duhovska, Jana
AU - Znotiņa, Inga
AU - Lejniece, Sandra
AU - Mārtinsone, Kristīne
N1 - Conference code: 10
PY - 2025/3/28
Y1 - 2025/3/28
N2 - The European Commission’s Better Life for Cancer Patients initiative emphasizes improving the quality of life (QoL) for cancer patients, highlighting the importance of integrated psychosocial cancer care (European Commission, 2021). Addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs is crucial, as cancer often challenges patients’ spiritual beliefs and worldview (Casellas-Grau et al., 2021). Despite evidence linking spirituality to QoL improvements in oncology (Bai & Lazenby, 2015), research on spiritual concerns among patients undergoing treatment, survivors, or those facing uncertain prognoses remains limited. This scoping review analyzed 51 quantitative studies (2019–2023) to explore spirituality's role in supporting oncology patients’ adaptation to illness and life. The research addressed three key questions: (1) What spiritual concepts are studied in this population? (2) How are these concepts measured? (3) What associations do they reveal?Findings indicate that positive spirituality—expressed through hope, meaning, and connectedness—is associated with better mental health and improved adaptation to cancer and its treatment. Conversely, negative spirituality—characterized by spiritual distress or existential crisis—correlates with poorer health outcomes and maladaptive adjustment. A major barrier in this field is the lack of consensus on defining and measuring spirituality in oncology, complicating research and practice.The study underscores the critical need for structured spiritual care within cancer treatment protocols. Interventions fostering adaptive coping strategies through spirituality may enhance mental health and overall QoL. Addressing non-adaptive coping mechanisms is essential for holistic oncology care, paving the way for improved patient outcomes and well-being.
AB - The European Commission’s Better Life for Cancer Patients initiative emphasizes improving the quality of life (QoL) for cancer patients, highlighting the importance of integrated psychosocial cancer care (European Commission, 2021). Addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs is crucial, as cancer often challenges patients’ spiritual beliefs and worldview (Casellas-Grau et al., 2021). Despite evidence linking spirituality to QoL improvements in oncology (Bai & Lazenby, 2015), research on spiritual concerns among patients undergoing treatment, survivors, or those facing uncertain prognoses remains limited. This scoping review analyzed 51 quantitative studies (2019–2023) to explore spirituality's role in supporting oncology patients’ adaptation to illness and life. The research addressed three key questions: (1) What spiritual concepts are studied in this population? (2) How are these concepts measured? (3) What associations do they reveal?Findings indicate that positive spirituality—expressed through hope, meaning, and connectedness—is associated with better mental health and improved adaptation to cancer and its treatment. Conversely, negative spirituality—characterized by spiritual distress or existential crisis—correlates with poorer health outcomes and maladaptive adjustment. A major barrier in this field is the lack of consensus on defining and measuring spirituality in oncology, complicating research and practice.The study underscores the critical need for structured spiritual care within cancer treatment protocols. Interventions fostering adaptive coping strategies through spirituality may enhance mental health and overall QoL. Addressing non-adaptive coping mechanisms is essential for holistic oncology care, paving the way for improved patient outcomes and well-being.
KW - Spirituality
KW - Oncology
KW - Psycho-oncology
KW - Cancer care
KW - Quality of life
KW - Spiritual well-being
M3 - Poster
SP - 148
EP - 148
Y2 - 26 March 2025 through 28 March 2025
ER -