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Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Patients: The Association with Religiosity and Religious Coping

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Abstract

There is a lack of studies looking into religiosity and religious coping in cancer patient. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the religiosity using Duke University Religion Index, religious coping using Brief Religious Coping Scale, anxiety and depression based on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale among 200 cancer patients. The association between religiosity and religious coping with anxiety and depression was studied. The findings showed that subjects with anxiety or depression used more negative religious coping and had lower non-organization religiosity. Hence, measurements in reducing negative religious coping and encouraging religious activities could help to reduce psychological distress in cancer patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Guan Chong Ng, Ahmad Hatim Sulaiman & Nor Zuraida Zainal

  2. Department of Psychological & Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Salina Mohamed

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  1. Guan Chong Ng
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  2. Salina Mohamed
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  3. Ahmad Hatim Sulaiman
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  4. Nor Zuraida Zainal
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Correspondence to Guan Chong Ng.

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Ng, G.C., Mohamed, S., Sulaiman, A.H. et al. Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Patients: The Association with Religiosity and Religious Coping. J Relig Health 56, 575–590 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0267-y

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