Spirituality, religiosity, spiritual pain, and quality of life among caregivers of Latin American patients with advanced cancer: A multicenter study

• Published in: Journal of clinical oncology Vol. 34; no. 26_suppl; p. 245
• Main Authors: Delgado-Guay, Marvin Omar, Palma, Alejandra, Duarte, Eva Rossina, Grez, Monica, Tupper, Laura, Liu, Diane D, Ferguson, Andrea Octavia, Cantu, Hilda, Ochoa, Jewel, Williams, Janet L., Bruera, Eduardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 09-10-2016
• ISSN: 0732-183X; 1527-7755
• DOI: 10.1200/jco.2016.34.26_suppl.245

Abstract only 245 Background: Caregivers of cancer patients often face physical, and psychosocial hardship. The association between spirituality (S), religiosity (R), spiritual pain (SP), coping, and quality of life (QOL) have not been well characterized. The main purpose of this multicenter study was to determine these associations among LACs. Methods: We interviewed 319 LACs at palliative care clinics in Chile, Guatemala, and the US. LACs completed FICA (S/R assessment), ESAS–FS, PSWQ (worry), B-COPE/B-R-COPE (coping), and FACIT-Sp (spiritual well-being). Results: Median age 47 y, IQR=36, 59; 231 (73%) female, 207 (66%) married, 194 (61%) Catholic, 90 (28%) Non-Catholic Christian, 10 (3%) non-religious affiliation. Relationship: 111 (35%) spouses, 102 (32.5%) children, 31 (10%) siblings, 21 (7%) parents, and 59 (19%) others. 103 (32%) worked full-time, 38 (12%) worked-part-time, 96 (30%) homemaker, and 29 (9%) retired. 278 (92%) considered themselves moderately/highly spiritual and 75% moderately/highly religious, median: 8 (IQR: 6, 9) and 6 (4, 8) respectively. Median importance of S/R in their life was 10 (IQR: 7-10). The frequency and associations among the importance of S/R and different items were as follows: S/R is a source of strength and comfort (98%, r = 0.71; p < 0.0001), helps them to cope with patients’ illness (98%, r = 0.65; p < 0.0001). 44% of LACs reported that their spiritual/religious needs had not been supported by the medical team. 243/301 (81%) of LACs reported spiritual pain (median 6; IQR: 2-9). Spiritual pain significantly correlated with worse pain (r = 0.42, p < 0.0001), fatigue (r = 0.34, p < 0.0001), depression (r = 0.46, p < 0.0001), anxiety (r = 0.48, p < 0.0001), financial distress (r = 0.36, p < 0.0001), well-being (r = 0.3, p < 0.0001), worry (r = 0.42, p < 0.001), denial (r = 0.3, p < 0.0001), behavioral disengagement (r = 0.3, p < 0.0001), FACIT-sp (r = -0.18, p = 0.002), negative religious coping (r = 0.35, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: LACs report high level and importance of S/R in dealing with the patient’s illness and low level of S/R support from clinicians. 81% of LACs expressed spiritual pain that impacts their own symptoms, coping, and QOL. More research is needed.