Subject
Spirituality; PedPal Lit; Adaptation; Attitude to Health Child Female Health Services Needs and Demand Humans Life Change Events Male Middle Aged; Neoplasms/psychology Nurse's Role Nursing Methodology Research Oncologic Nursing Ontario Parents/; Psychological Adult; psychology Pediatric Nursing Problem Solving Professional-Family Relations Qualitative Research Questionnaires Religion and Psychology Research Design Social Support
Description
The purpose of this article is to describe the role of spirituality as a coping mechanism in the lives of parents of children with cancer. This exploratory study was conducted using a dominant-less dominant research design with phenomenology as the guiding theoretical orientation. Twelve parents (eight women and four men) were interviewed. Spirituality was described as playing a key role in the coping repertoire of these parents. In particular, spirituality's influence was described in both a religious and secularized manner with both aspects having a positive influence on coping behaviors among these parents. Health care professionals and nurses in particular have a role to play in facilitating access to spiritual resources as well as acknowledging and accepting the spiritual practices of the families they serve.
2006