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The Strength to Cope: Spirituality and Faith in Chronic Disease

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Abstract

The lifelong management of a chronic condition requires considerable mental fortitude and commitment in social adjustment and adherence to medical advice. In examining strategies of adaptation, we draw on ethnographic research, including interviews with 69 people with type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease. We explore how they incorporate spirituality into their self-management routines, with positive impact on their health and wellbeing, and highlight the role of spiritual practices in supporting people with chronic conditions mentally, physically and socially, so encouraging personal responsibility for one’s health and wellbeing.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the contribution of Professor Maximilian de Courten, Professor Bruce Hollingsworth, Professor Vivian Lin and Professor Brian Oldenburg to the conception and design of this study. This research was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council, grant number 491171.

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The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social Science and Health Research Unit, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, PO Box 197, Caulfield East, VIC, 3145, Australia

    Nalika Unantenne, Narelle Warren, Rachel Canaway & Lenore Manderson

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  1. Nalika Unantenne
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  2. Narelle Warren
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  3. Rachel Canaway
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  4. Lenore Manderson
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Correspondence to Narelle Warren.

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Unantenne, N., Warren, N., Canaway, R. et al. The Strength to Cope: Spirituality and Faith in Chronic Disease. J Relig Health 52, 1147–1161 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9554-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9554-9

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