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Religious Coping and Psychological Distress in Military Veteran Cancer Survivors

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Abstract

Research on the relationship between religious coping and psychological well-being in cancer survivors is limited. Forty-eight veteran cancer survivors completed measures of psychological distress, posttraumatic growth, and positive and negative religious coping. Negative religious coping was associated with greater distress and growth. Positive religious coping was associated with greater growth. Gender, race, and religious affiliation were significant predictors of positive and negative religious coping. Veteran cancer survivors who utilize negative religious coping may benefit from referral to clergy or a mental health professional. Assessment of religious coping may be particularly important for female, non-White, and Christian cancer survivors.

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Acknowledgment

We thank Jeffrey Gosian for his assistance in participant recruitment, scheduling, and data preparation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Ave., SM 271, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Kelly M. Trevino

  2. Geriatric Mental Health, VA Boston Healthcare System, Brockton, MA, USA

    Elizabeth Archambault

  3. National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Jennifer Schuster

  4. Houston Center for Quality of Care & Utilization Studies, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Peter Richardson

  5. Geriatric Mental Health, VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, Brockton, MA, USA

    Jennifer Moye

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  1. Kelly M. Trevino
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  2. Elizabeth Archambault
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  3. Jennifer Schuster
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  4. Peter Richardson
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  5. Jennifer Moye
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Correspondence to Kelly M. Trevino.

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Trevino, K.M., Archambault, E., Schuster, J. et al. Religious Coping and Psychological Distress in Military Veteran Cancer Survivors. J Relig Health 51, 87–98 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9526-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9526-0

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