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Spiritual Well-Being, Depression, and Quality of Life Among Latina Breast Cancer Survivors

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Abstract

This study explores the relationship between spiritual well-being (SWB) (meaning/peace & faith), depression, and quality of life (QOL). Cancer survivors often use their spirituality as a way of coping. Among a sample of 97 Latina breast cancer survivors (LBCS), SWB was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Spiritual Well-being Scale, QOL was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General (FACT-G), and depression was measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire. Study findings revealed that SWB, specifically the meaning/peace factor, is the main predictor of an increase in QOL and a reduction in depression among LBCS.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Latina Breast Cancer Survivor community who dedicated their time and effort to participate in this research initiative. We would like to thank the National Cancer Institute # U54-13778804 CCNY/MSKCC Partnership, training Grant: T32CA009461, R21 CA180831-02 Grant (Cultural Adaptation of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Latinos), and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Grant (P30 CA008748) for their financial support. The contents of this article are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the awarding agencies.

Funding

The National Cancer Institute U54-13778804 CCNY/MSKCC Partnership training Grant T32CA009461, R21 CA180831-02 (Cultural Adaptation of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Latinos) Grant, and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Grant (P30 CA008748) funded this research. The contents of this article are solely the author’s responsibility and are not representative of the views of the awarding agencies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Immigrant Health & Cancer Disparities Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    O. Garduño-Ortega, F. Gany & R. Costas-Muñiz

  2. Center for Evaluation and Sociomedical Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA

    J. Morales-Cruz

  3. NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, Tarrytown, NY, USA

    M. Hunter-Hernández

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  1. O. Garduño-Ortega
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  2. J. Morales-Cruz
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  3. M. Hunter-Hernández
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  4. F. Gany
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  5. R. Costas-Muñiz
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Correspondence to O. Garduño-Ortega.

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All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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All participants received a mailed study package with an informed consent cover letter and a survey. The letter stated that by completing and mailing back the survey, individuals were consenting to participate in the study. The institutional review board approved this process.

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Garduño-Ortega, O., Morales-Cruz, J., Hunter-Hernández, M. et al. Spiritual Well-Being, Depression, and Quality of Life Among Latina Breast Cancer Survivors. J Relig Health 60, 1895–1907 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01147-9

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