Spirituality as a Means of Adaptation to Life and Illness for Oncology Patients: A Scoping Review of Quantitative Studies between 2019 and 2025

Daiga Katrīna Bitēna; Ieva Salmane-Kuļikovska; Jana Duhovska; Inga Znotiņa; Sandra Lejniece; Kristīne Mārtinsone

doi:10.1007/s10943-025-02550-w

Spirituality as a Means of Adaptation to Life and Illness for Oncology Patients: A Scoping Review of Quantitative Studies between 2019 and 2025

Daiga Katrīna Bitēna (Corresponding Author)
, Ieva Salmane-Kuļikovska
, Jana Duhovska
, Inga Znotiņa
, Sandra Lejniece
, Kristīne Mārtinsone

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This scoping review examines the role of spirituality in helping oncology patients adapt to illness and life. An analysis of 49 quantitative studies from 2019 to 2025 revealed that positive manifestations of spirituality are linked to better mental health and improved adjustment to cancer and treatment. However, negative manifestations of spirituality are associated with poorer health outcomes and lower levels of adjustment. The lack of consensus regarding the definition and measurement of spirituality in oncology presents challenges. This study highlights the need to integrate structured spiritual care into cancer treatment.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	408-432
Number of pages	25
Journal	Journal of Religion and Health
Volume	65
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-025-02550-w
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - Jan 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords*

Spirituality
Oncology
Psycho-oncology
Cancer care
Quality of life
Spiritual well-being

Field of Science*

5.1 Psychology
3.3 Health sciences

Publication Type*

1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

Access to Document

10.1007/s10943-025-02550-wLicence: CC BY

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10943-025-02550-w#citeas

Cite this

Bitēna, D. K., Salmane-Kuļikovska, I., Duhovska, J., Znotiņa, I., Lejniece, S., & Mārtinsone, K. (2026). Spirituality as a Means of Adaptation to Life and Illness for Oncology Patients: A Scoping Review of Quantitative Studies between 2019 and 2025. Journal of Religion and Health, 65(1), 408-432. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-025-02550-w

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title = "Spirituality as a Means of Adaptation to Life and Illness for Oncology Patients: A Scoping Review of Quantitative Studies between 2019 and 2025",

abstract = "This scoping review examines the role of spirituality in helping oncology patients adapt to illness and life. An analysis of 49 quantitative studies from 2019 to 2025 revealed that positive manifestations of spirituality are linked to better mental health and improved adjustment to cancer and treatment. However, negative manifestations of spirituality are associated with poorer health outcomes and lower levels of adjustment. The lack of consensus regarding the definition and measurement of spirituality in oncology presents challenges. This study highlights the need to integrate structured spiritual care into cancer treatment.",

keywords = "Spirituality, Oncology, Psycho-oncology, Cancer care, Quality of life, Spiritual well-being",

author = "Bitēna, \{Daiga Katrīna\} and Ieva Salmane-Kuļikovska and Jana Duhovska and Inga Znotiņa and Sandra Lejniece and Kristīne Mārtinsone",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2026.",

year = "2026",

month = jan,

doi = "10.1007/s10943-025-02550-w",

language = "English",

volume = "65",

pages = "408--432",

journal = "Journal of Religion and Health",

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Spirituality as a Means of Adaptation to Life and Illness for Oncology Patients: A Scoping Review of Quantitative Studies between 2019 and 2025. / Bitēna, Daiga Katrīna (Corresponding Author); Salmane-Kuļikovska, Ieva ; Duhovska, Jana et al.
In: Journal of Religion and Health, Vol. 65, No. 1, 01.2026, p. 408-432.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Spirituality as a Means of Adaptation to Life and Illness for Oncology Patients

T2 - A Scoping Review of Quantitative Studies between 2019 and 2025

AU - Bitēna, Daiga Katrīna

AU - Salmane-Kuļikovska, Ieva

AU - Duhovska, Jana

AU - Znotiņa, Inga

AU - Lejniece, Sandra

AU - Mārtinsone, Kristīne

PY - 2026/1

Y1 - 2026/1

N2 - This scoping review examines the role of spirituality in helping oncology patients adapt to illness and life. An analysis of 49 quantitative studies from 2019 to 2025 revealed that positive manifestations of spirituality are linked to better mental health and improved adjustment to cancer and treatment. However, negative manifestations of spirituality are associated with poorer health outcomes and lower levels of adjustment. The lack of consensus regarding the definition and measurement of spirituality in oncology presents challenges. This study highlights the need to integrate structured spiritual care into cancer treatment.

AB - This scoping review examines the role of spirituality in helping oncology patients adapt to illness and life. An analysis of 49 quantitative studies from 2019 to 2025 revealed that positive manifestations of spirituality are linked to better mental health and improved adjustment to cancer and treatment. However, negative manifestations of spirituality are associated with poorer health outcomes and lower levels of adjustment. The lack of consensus regarding the definition and measurement of spirituality in oncology presents challenges. This study highlights the need to integrate structured spiritual care into cancer treatment.

KW - Spirituality

KW - Oncology

KW - Psycho-oncology

KW - Cancer care

KW - Quality of life

KW - Spiritual well-being

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105028641571

U2 - 10.1007/s10943-025-02550-w

DO - 10.1007/s10943-025-02550-w

M3 - Article

C2 - 41575603

SN - 0022-4197

VL - 65

SP - 408

EP - 432

JO - Journal of Religion and Health

JF - Journal of Religion and Health

IS - 1

ER -

Spirituality as a Means of Adaptation to Life and Illness for Oncology Patients: A Scoping Review of Quantitative Studies between 2019 and 2025

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords*

Field of Science*

Publication Type*

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Preparing Oncology Patients for the Safe Practice of the Spiritual Dimension During Treatment for Self-Help Purposes

Cite this

Spirituality as a Means of Adaptation to Life and Illness for Oncology Patients: A Scoping Review of Quantitative Studies between 2019 and 2025

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords*

Field of Science*

Publication Type*

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

Preparing Oncology Patients for the Safe Practice of the Spiritual Dimension During Treatment for Self-Help Purposes

Cite this