Evaluation of intrapsychic factors, coping styles, and spirituality of patients affected by tumors

Background: In this study, we consider spirituality in terms of interpersonal, transpersonal, and intrapsychic processes. The goal of this study is to establish whether a spiritual perspective is correlated with more effective coping skills and intrapsychic processes.

Patients: Lung (n = 88, n. (age 62.8±10.1)) and large bowel cancer (n = 56; age (age 60.1±11.4)) (all stages).

Tests: SASB Questionnaire by L.S. Benjamin-intrapsychic processes; Scale of Coping Styles by A. Jalowiech; Brief Measure of Spirituality (BMMS); Spiritual Well Being Index by T. Daaleman and B. Bruce.

Results: There is a significant correlation among inner spirituality (IS) (Cronbach's α = 0.692), spiritual coping (SC) (Cronbach's α = 0.935) (described total variability-BMMS) and Spiritual Well Being (SWB) (Cronbach's α = 0.759). (Significant correlation among the three scales, Cronbach's α = 0.676.)The patients with high spirituality are more prone to develop their potentialities and capacities. They (with IS and SC) have more effective coping mechanisms with stressful situations (SASB Cl 3: Self-supporting and appreciate and IS = p<0.002; and SC = p<0.001. They care for themselves by developing their own capacities and potentialities-SASB Cl 5: Self-control and IS p = 0.033; and SC p = 0.037. The profile of patients with lower intrinsic spirituality and SC scores suggest ineffective coping with high risk of depression, self-neglect both in the physical and emotional dimensions, and of self-abuse (SASB Cl 8: Self-criticism and IS p = 0.033; SC p = 0.044).

Conclusion: The presence of a spiritual dimension may be a marker of patients with a good adaptation to cancer treatment.