Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of Religious Coping in Tunisian Muslim Women with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Religion and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Studies evaluating religious coping in Arab-Muslim populations are few. We aimed to evaluate religiosity and religious coping in a sample of breast cancer women, and to analyze the association between religiosity, religious coping, depression, anxiety, cancer clinical data, and sociodemographic data in our patients. A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted over a 4-month period in 61 newly diagnosed breast cancer women. We used the following scales: The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), the Arabic-Brief Religious Coping Scale (A-BRCS) and the Arabic Religiosity Scale. The majority of participants (98.4%) had a moderate to high level of religiosity. A weak correlation was found between religious coping scores and stress, depression, and anxiety scores. Our patients had high scores of positive religious coping, with a mean score of 26.13 out of 28 and used more positive coping than negative coping to cope with the cancerous disease. High levels of affective religiosity were the main predictive factor of positive religious coping. Therapies should reinforce the positive religious coping patterns of breast cancer patients, and detect a possible resort to negative religious coping that may negatively affect the patients’ quality of life.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdel-Khalek, A. M. (2014). Religiosity, health and happiness: Significant relations in adolescents from Qatar. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 60(7), 656–661.

    Google Scholar 

  • Afrooz, R., Rahmani, A., Zamanzadeh, V., Abdullahzadeh, F., Azadi, A., Faghany, S., et al. (2014). The nature of hope among iranian cancer patients. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 15, 9307–9312.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Azri, M., Al-Awisi, H., & Al-Moundhri, M. (2009). Coping with a diagnosis of breast cancer-literature review and implications for developing countries. The Breast Journal, 15, 615–622.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alferi, S. M., Culver, J. L., Carver, C. S., Arena, P. L., & Antoni, M. H. (1999). Religiosity, religious coping, and distress: A prospective study of catholic and evangelical hispanic women in treatment for early-stage breast cancer. Journal of Health Psychology, 4, 343–356.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Hadethe, A., Hunt, N., Thomas, S., & Al-Qaysi, A. (2016). Cross-cultural validation and psychometric properties of the Arabic brief religious coping scale (A-BRCS). Journal of Religion and Health, 55, 16–25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bushfield, S. Y. (2016). Survivorship issues among muslim women with cancer. In T. R. Fitzpatrick (Ed.), Treating vulnerable populations of cancer survivors: A biopsychosocial approach (pp. 55–65). Montreal: Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crabtree, S. (2010). Religiosity highest in world’s poorest nations. Available from http://www.gallup.com/poll/142727/religiosity-highest-world-poorest-nations.aspx.

  • Die Trill, M., & Holland, J. (1993). Cross-cultural differences in the care of patients with cancer: A review. General Hospital Psychiatry, 15, 21–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ell, K. O., Mantell, J. E., Hamovitch, M. B., & Nishimoto, R. H. (1989). Social support, sense of control, and coping among patients with breast, lung, or colorectal cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 7, 63–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fekih-Romdhane, F., Tounsi, A., Ben Rejeb, R., & Cheour, M. (2020). Is religiosity related to suicidal ideation among Tunisian Muslim youth after the January 14th revolution? Community Mental Health Journal, 56(1), 165–173.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrell, B. R., Grant, M., Funk, B., Otis-Green, S., & Garcia, N. (1998). Quality of life in breast cancer-part II: Psychological and spiritual well-being. Cancer Nursing, 21, 1–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fitchett, G., Murphy, P. E., Kim, J., Gibbons, J. L., Cameron, J. R., & Davis, J. A. (2004). Religious struggle: prevalence correlates and mental health risks in diabetic, congestive heart failure, and oncology patients. The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicin, 34, 179–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flannelly, G., Flanelly, K. J., & Weaver, A. J. (2002). Religioius and spiritual variables in three major oncology nursing journal:1990–1999. Journal of Oncology Nursing, 29, 679–685.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gall, T. L., Charbonneau, C., Clarke, N. H., Grant, K., Joseph, A., & Shoulbice, L. (2005). Understanding the nature and role of spirituality in relation to coping and health: conceptual framework. Canadian Psychology, 46, 88–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gall, T. L., Guirguis-Younger, M., Charbonneau, C., & Florack, P. (2009). The trajectory of religious coping across time in response to the diagnosis of breast cancer. Psychoncology, 18, 1165–1178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallup, G.H. (2003). Americans’ spiritual search turns inward. [Online]. Available on http://www.gallup.com/poll/7759/Americans-Spiritual-Searches-Turn-Inward.aspx.

  • Gallup International Millenium Survey. (2000). Available from http://www.gallupinternational.com/survey15.htm.

  • Gearing, R. E., & Alonzo, D. (2018). Religion and suicide: New findings. Journal of Religion and Health, 57(6), 2478–2499.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gearing, R. E., & Lizardi, D. (2009). Religion and suicide. Journal of Religion and Health, 48, 332–341.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Global Index of Religiosity and Atheism [Internet]. Win-Gallup International (2012); 25. Available from http://www.wingia.com/web/files/news/14/file/14.pdf.

  • Harcourt, D., Rumsey, N., & Ambler, N. (1999). Same-day diagnosis of symptomatic breast problems: Psychological impact and coping strategies. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 4, 57–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hood, R. W., Spilka, B., Hunsberger, B., & Gorsuch, R. (2003). The psychology of religion: An empirical approach (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, S. C., & Spilka, B. (1991). coping with breast cancer: the roles of Clergy and Faith. Journal of Religion and Health, 30, 21–33.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khalaf, D. R., Hlais, S. A. A., Haddad, R. S., Mansour, C. M., Pelissolo, A. J., & Naja, W. J. (2014). Developing and testing an original Arabic religiosity scale. Middle East Current Psychiatry, 21, 127–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kvillemo, P., & Bränström, R. (2014). Coping with breast cancer: A meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 9, e112733.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the depression anxiety stress scales (2nd ed.). Sydney: Psychology Foundation of Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mesquita, A. C., Chaves Ede, C., Avelino, C. C., Nogueira, D. A., Panzini, R. G., & de Carvalho, E. C. (2013). The use of religious/spiritual coping among patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermage, 21, 539–545.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moadel, A., Morgan, C., Fatone, A., Grennan, J., Carter, J., Laruffa, G., et al. (1999). Seeking meaning and hope: Self-reported spiritual and existential needs among an ethnically-diverse cancer patient population. Psychooncology, 8, 378–385.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mousavi, S. M., LotfiKashani, F., Vaziri, S., & Akbari, M. E. (2012). Integrating spirituality into a psychotherapy group program base of Iranian-Islamic culture in increasing the general health and quality of life in women with breast cancer. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology, 8, 291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Niemeyer, R. A., & Burke, L. A. (2011). Complicated grief in the aftermath of homicide: spiritual crisis and distress in an African American sample. Religions, 2(2), 145–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I. (2001). The psychology of religion and coping theory, research, practice. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I., Ensing, D. S., Falgout, K., Olsen, H., Reilly, B., Van Haitsma, K., et al. (1990). God help me: Religion coping efforts as predictors of the outcomes to significant negative life events. The American Journal of Community Psychology, 56, 519–543.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. M. (2000). The many methods of religious coping: Development and initial validation of the RCOPE. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(4), 519–543.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I., & Lomax, J. W. (2013). Understanding and addressing religion among people with mental illness. World Psychiatry, 12(1), 26–32.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pirutinsky, S., Rosmarin, D. H., Pargament, K. I., & Midlarsky, E. (2011). Does negative religious coping accompany, precede, or follow depression among orthodox Jews? Journal of Affective Disorders, 132(3), 401–405.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Post, B. C., & Wade, N. G. (2009). Religion and spirituality in psychotherapy: A practice-friendly review of research. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(2), 131–146.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rohani, K., Abedi, H. A., Omranipour, R., & Langius-eklof, A. (2015). Health –related quality of life and the predictive role of sense of coherence, spirituality and religious coping in a sample of iranien women with breast cancer: a prospective study with comparative design. Health Qual Life Outcomes., 13, 40.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Schnoll, R. A., Harlow, L. L., & Brower, L. (2002). Spirituality, dermographic and disease factors, and adjustment to cancer. Cancer Practice, 8, 298–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber, J. A., & Brockopp, D. Y. (2012). Twenty-five years later-what do we know about religion/spiritualityand psychological well-beingamong breast cancer survivors? A systematic review. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 6, 82–94.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Social Trends. Lifestyles and Social Participation, Chapter 13, (2000). Available from http://wwwstatistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme-social/st30v8.pdf.

  • Taouk, M., Lovibond, P. F., & Laube, R. (2001). Psychometric properties of an Arabic version of the depression anxiety stress scales (DASS21). Sydney: Report for New South Wales Transcultural Mental Health Centre, Cumberland Hospital.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tate, D. G., & Forchheimer, M. (2002). Quality of life, life satisfaction, and spirituality- comparing outcomes between rehabilitation and cancer patients. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 8, 400–410.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thuné-Boyle, I. C., Stygall, J., Keshtgar, M. R., Davidson, T. I., & Newman, S. P. (2011). Religious coping strategies in patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK. Psychooncology, 20, 771–782.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trevino, K. M., Pargament, K. I., Cotton, S., Leonard, A. C., Hahn, J., Caprini-Faigin, C. A., et al. (2010). Religious coping and physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual outcomes in patients with HIV/AIDS: cross-sectional and longitudinal findings. AIDS and Behavior, 14(2), 379–389.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilt, J. A., Grubbs, J. B., Lindgerg, M. J., Exline, J. J., & Pargament, K. I. (2017). Anxiety predicts increases in struggles with religions/spiritual doubt over two weeks, one month, and one year. International Journal of Psychology of Religion, 27(1), 26–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwingmann, C., Wirtz, M., Müller, C., Körber, J., & Murken, S. (2006). Positive and negative religious coping in German breast cancer patients. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 29, 533–547.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia

    Feten Fekih-Romdhane, Abir Hakiri, Sana Fendri, Mehdi Balti, Raja Labbane & Majda Cheour

  2. Razi Hospital, 1 rue des orangers, Manouba, Tunisia

    Feten Fekih-Romdhane, Abir Hakiri, Raja Labbane & Majda Cheour

Authors
  1. Feten Fekih-Romdhane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Abir Hakiri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sana Fendri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mehdi Balti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Raja Labbane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Majda Cheour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Feten Fekih-Romdhane.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fekih-Romdhane, F., Hakiri, A., Fendri, S. et al. Evaluation of Religious Coping in Tunisian Muslim Women with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer. J Relig Health 60, 1839–1855 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01066-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01066-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation