Relation between prayer activity and spiritual well being in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

ABSTRACT

Cancer as one of the most common chronic illnesses is a stressful factor affecting physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. Prayer is a source of resistance against these crises, especially in spiritual domain, promoting spiritual well-being. The aim of the current study is to examine the relationship between prayer activity and spiritual well-being in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Three handred and sixty patients who were more than 20 years old, alert to their disease, and able to read and write participated in this study. Data collection was done by Meraviglia's prayer [2002] and Paloutzian and Ellison's spiritual well-being [1982] questionnaires. Data analysis was done by SPSS program. Findings showed that the mean scores of prayer practice and spiritual well being were respectively [94.5 +/- 12.98] and [98.35 +/- 14.36]. Direct and significant relationship was found between prayer practice and spiritual well-being. [p = 0.001, r = 0.61]. Regarding the results that show the relationship between prayer practice and spiritual well being of the patients, nurses should consider prayer as a health promoting strategy in caring programs and choose a comprehensive and holistic approach toward their patients