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We were Chosen as a Family: Parents’ Evolving Use of Religion when Their Child has Cystic Fibrosis

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Abstract

Parental coping with new CF diagnoses often includes religion; however, little is known about how the use of religion changes over time. Longitudinal grounded theory method, in which parents were interviewed twice the 2 years after their child’s diagnosis, was used. Parents constructed the meaning that parenting a child with CF is their vocation, in accordance with “God’s plan.” A shift from isolation to an outward focus and reentry into the community was clear. The use of faith evolved over time and continues to be a source of support and hope for parents. Clinical implications of parental religion are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge with thanks the comments and suggestions of [names of two persons withheld to preserve blinded review] that provided helpful feedback on an early version of this manuscript.

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Correspondence to Daniel H. Grossoehme.

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Grossoehme, D.H., Ragsdale, J.R., Snow, A. et al. We were Chosen as a Family: Parents’ Evolving Use of Religion when Their Child has Cystic Fibrosis. J Relig Health 51, 1347–1358 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9477-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9477-5

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