Title of Research Project
Religious Coping Styles Predict Posttraumatic Growth among Cancer Patients
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Major
Psychology
Research Abstract
Stressful life events can potentially reduce a person’s quality of life. However, adaptive coping strategies can generate posttraumatic growth (PTG) and reframe negative events as a source of empowerment. The purpose of this study was to examine religious coping styles as predictors of PTG, with perceived community-level social status (PCSS) as a potential moderator of this relationship. In a secondary data analysis, a hierarchical multiple regression was used to examine a religious coping model. The sample consisted of predominantly white, Christian, ambulatory, and female cancer patients (N = 179) in a cross-sectional design. Four positive religious coping subscales and one negative religious coping subscale were included in this study (RCOPE; Pargament, Koenig, & Perez, 2000): (1) Benevolent Religious Reappraisal; redefining a stressor through religion as potentially beneficial, (2) Active Religious Surrender; actively giving up control to God as a coping technique, (3) Pleading for Direct Intercession; seeking direct help from God in the form of a miracle or divine intervention, (4) Religious Helping; providing spiritual support to others, and (5) Spiritual Discontent; expressing disappointment with God in the face of a stressful event. A preliminary screening of potential covariates included age, gender, education level, family income, work status, relationship status, and cancer stage. Of these, cancer stage was the only variable significantly correlated with PTG and was included as a covariate in the analysis. The model significantly predicted higher levels of PTG through Benevolent Religious Reappraisal (Beta = .22, p < .05) and Religious Helping (Beta = .20, p < .05). PCSS did not moderate the association between religious coping and PTG. Overall, the model explained 17% of the variance in PTG. Results suggest that engaging in some religious coping styles may promote PTG in cancer patients; moreover, there is a need to explore other factors that may moderate or mediate the association between religious coping styles and PTG. Identification of religious coping styles contributing to posttraumatic growth can enhance well-being in the lives of religious cancer patients.
Faculty Mentor/Advisor
John Perez
Religious Coping Styles Predict Posttraumatic Growth among Cancer Patients
Stressful life events can potentially reduce a person’s quality of life. However, adaptive coping strategies can generate posttraumatic growth (PTG) and reframe negative events as a source of empowerment. The purpose of this study was to examine religious coping styles as predictors of PTG, with perceived community-level social status (PCSS) as a potential moderator of this relationship. In a secondary data analysis, a hierarchical multiple regression was used to examine a religious coping model. The sample consisted of predominantly white, Christian, ambulatory, and female cancer patients (N = 179) in a cross-sectional design. Four positive religious coping subscales and one negative religious coping subscale were included in this study (RCOPE; Pargament, Koenig, & Perez, 2000): (1) Benevolent Religious Reappraisal; redefining a stressor through religion as potentially beneficial, (2) Active Religious Surrender; actively giving up control to God as a coping technique, (3) Pleading for Direct Intercession; seeking direct help from God in the form of a miracle or divine intervention, (4) Religious Helping; providing spiritual support to others, and (5) Spiritual Discontent; expressing disappointment with God in the face of a stressful event. A preliminary screening of potential covariates included age, gender, education level, family income, work status, relationship status, and cancer stage. Of these, cancer stage was the only variable significantly correlated with PTG and was included as a covariate in the analysis. The model significantly predicted higher levels of PTG through Benevolent Religious Reappraisal (Beta = .22, p < .05) and Religious Helping (Beta = .20, p < .05). PCSS did not moderate the association between religious coping and PTG. Overall, the model explained 17% of the variance in PTG. Results suggest that engaging in some religious coping styles may promote PTG in cancer patients; moreover, there is a need to explore other factors that may moderate or mediate the association between religious coping styles and PTG. Identification of religious coping styles contributing to posttraumatic growth can enhance well-being in the lives of religious cancer patients.
