Religion and Spirituality as Resources for Coping with Cancer

Studies of coping with cancer have often included variables concerned with religion or spirituality. Unfortunately, the variables chosen have generally had limited salience for the overall coping process and limited usefulness for the development of clinical interventions. Despite these drawbacks, existing research suggests that religious and spiritual coping may have positive impacts on cancer patients' adjustment, and some evidence exists that suggests ways in which religion and spirituality may fit into the coping process. Considerations in the selection of better measures and more useful conceptualizations of religious or spiritual coping are offered as well as suggestions for more beneficial assessments of religious or spiritual functioning in clinical contexts.