Spiritual dimension of children and adolescents with cancer: an integrative review

"God gives me hope!": Hospitalized children's perception of the influence of religion in coping with chronic illness

PURPOSE

The mechanism of the impact of religion on health is still unclear, especially in children and adolescents with chronic illness who live in religious contexts. This study aimed to understand the influence of religion on coping with chronic diseases from the perspective of hospitalized children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, type 1 diabetes mellitus and cystic fibrosis.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Qualitative descriptive research used photo-elicitation interviews with 35 Brazilian children and adolescents with cancer, type 1 diabetes mellitus and cystic fibrosis, aged between 7 and 17 years old. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze qualitative data.

RESULTS

Participants were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (14.3%), cancer (57.1%), and type 1 diabetes mellitus (28.6%) and 82.9% had a religious affiliation. Three themes were constructed: finding strength and support in the relationship with the divine, religion as an important source of meaning, and religious practice as a promoter of well-being. These themes demonstrate that children and adolescents themselves perceived their illness as a journey through which their faith grew.

CONCLUSIONS

This research shows the influence of religion on the positive coping of chronic illness, being a source of strength and support from the relationship with the divine, as well as offering a source of meaning, purpose and well-being based on religious practices.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

This study supports clinical practice, based on the recognition of the patient as a religious and spiritualized person who has spiritual beliefs and needs that are capable of influencing treatment.

Benefits of Spiritual and Religious Support in the Pain Management of Cancer Patients: A Literature Scoping Review

Pain is one of the main symptoms of cancer and the most difficult to control due to its complexity as it can involve physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. We proposed to summarize the scientific knowledge already published related to the influence of spirituality on pain therapy in cancer patients. Articles were searched in PubMed, SciELO, SciFinder, PsycInfo, and ScienceDirect databases using the following descriptors: "Spirituality," "Religion," "Religion," "Chronic Pain," "Pain Management" and "Cancer." A total of 68 articles were included and discussed. Most articles dealt with the influence of spirituality in palliative care, focussed on patient quality, and highlighted the importance of integrative oncology. Although few studies associated spirituality with chronic pain, most articles reported that spirituality could confer greater pain control.

An Integrated Literature Review Revealing the Process of Awakening the Spiritual Self/Identity Among Adolescents With Cancer

This integrative review was conducted to determine the current state of science in understanding the process of awakening the spiritual self/identity among adolescents with cancer. Twenty-six studies were included in the data synthesis. Six major themes were identified: recounting rough spots of the cancer experience, the spiritual self/identity, nurturing the spiritual self/identity, affirming values and beliefs, abiding resilience and transcendence, and portraying the cancer experience. Findings offer increased understanding of the process of awakening the spiritual self/identity among adolescents with cancer that can guide spiritual nursing practice and inform future research including the development of spiritual care interventions.

Aesthetic Expressions of the Life-World of Filipino School-Age Children with Advanced Cancer

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to describe the meanings of the life-world of school-age children with advanced cancer through aesthetic expression.

DATA SOURCES

Drawing, writing, and interviewing data from 10 school-age children with advanced cancer living in Negros Island, Philippines, who met the inclusion criteria of the study.

CONCLUSION

Five major thematic categories structured the participants' existential life-worlds with advanced cancer and were reflected within five lived-worlds as follows: lived body, poor body conditions but strong mind; lived relation, unlike the others; lived time, being in present while waiting for normal life; lived space, certain places of living and caring; and lived thing, supportive living by technology. The participants did not have control over the external events that happened to them, but their internal reactions made a powerful turning point. Advanced cancer made them tough and resilient to emotions. The negative problems dictated their response and allowed being unaffected by advanced cancer, and they were able to do it.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

The results presented by this study can be used to enhance positive feelings and emotions of school-age children with advanced cancer. Schooling should remain an active part of participants' life to provide them with a sense of normalcy to carry on with their social and academic development. A prearranged discussion with the teacher, principal, school nurse, and hospital team is important to help everyone know what to expect.

Efeitos da associação entre espiritualidade, religiosidade e atividade física na saúde/saúde mental: revisão sistemática

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar na literatura evidências acerca dos efeitos da associação entre espiritualidade, religiosidade e atividade física na saúde física e mental. Método: Revisão sistemática realizada em janeiro de 2019 nas bases de dados MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS, Web Of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, LILACS e SciELO, com os descritores “spirituality”, “religion”, “physical activity” e “physical exercise”. Incluíram-se estudos primários realizados com adultos, publicados até 2018 em português, inglês ou espanhol. Resultados: Foram selecionados nove estudos, publicados entre 2011 e 2017, todos internacionais, com desenho transversal (55%) e nível de evidência quatro (78%). Oito estudos abordaram efeitos na saúde física e um abordou efeitos na saúde mental. Conclusão: A Associação entre espiritualidade, religiosidade e atividade física promove efeitos na saúde física e mental, porém as evidências disponíveis não são suficientes para que esta associação seja aplicada na prática clínica.