Spiritual support: A model of care not to forget

Religious and Spiritual Practices Used by Children and Adolescents to Cope with Cancer

This study consists of an integrative review of the scientific literature that aimed to know the religious and spiritual practices used by children and adolescents to cope with cancer. From searches in the databases/libraries CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, SciELO and Lilacs (2009-2019), the final sample consisted of 20 articles. Prayers were the most widely used practices, followed by sacred books and objects, going to sacred places and the use of music. Improvements in well-being, physical and emotional health have been reported. It is concluded that such practices should be recognized as important resources in coping with cancer illness in this population.

Religious–spiritual experiences of family members and caregivers of children and adolescents with cancer

This integrative literature review aimed to identify the religious and spiritual experiences of family members and caregivers of children and adolescents with cancer. Through systematized searches in the databases/libraries CINAHL, PsycINFO, Pubmed, SciELO, and Lilacs, 69 articles produced between 2010 and 2020 were retrieved. There was a predominance of studies with parents developed in hospital facilities. The caregivers’ religious and spiritual experiences helped them to cope with childhood cancer, especially in maintaining hope, reducing stress and anxiety symptoms, as well as in providing psychological and social support. Negative outcomes such as questioning faith, the feeling of punishment, and disruption with the religious and spiritual group were also perceived. It is recommended to include religiosity and spirituality for the provision of more humanized and comprehensive care, as well as further investigation of the negative experiences regarding religiosity and spirituality in this public.