The Relationships Between Spiritual Well-Being, Quality of Life, and Psychological Factors Before Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

Sara J. Walker, Yiyi Chen, Kyungjeen Paik, Brandy Mirly, Charles R. Thomas, Arthur Y. Hung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Given shifting trends of religious identities in the USA, better understanding the impact of patients’ religious identities on health-related quality of life (QOL) may help tailor the use of psychological interventions. Men with prostate cancer (N = 43) completed measures of quality of life (QOL), spiritual well-being in two domains (i.e., Faith and Meaning/Peace), psychological state, and psychological trait before undergoing radiotherapy. We hypothesized that (1) higher existential Meaning/Peace would correlate with higher QOL and psychological trait protective factors (e.g., Agreeableness) and that (2) higher existential Meaning/Peace would correlate with lower depression, anxiety, and Neuroticism (i.e., a psychological trait risk factor). We did not anticipate similar relationships between religious Faith and QOL, depression, anxiety, or psychological traits and consider related analyses to be exploratory in nature. Meaning/Peace was indeed negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and Neuroticism. Meaning/Peace was positively correlated with Physical, Social, Functional, and Emotional well-being, as well as Extraversion. Religious Faith was positively associated with Functional well-being, but not the other state, trait, or QOL domains. In sum, prostate cancer patients’ sense of existential Meaning/Peace prior to radiotherapy was associated with well-being in many domains, whereas religious Faith appeared less so.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1846-1855
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Religion and Health
Volume56
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2017

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Health-related quality of life
  • Personality
  • Prostate cancer
  • Radiation therapy
  • Religion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Religious studies
  • General Nursing

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