Religious and Spiritual Practices Used by Children and Adolescents to Cope with Cancer

Lucas Rossato; Ana M Ullán; Fabio Scorsolini-Comin

doi:10.1007/s10943-021-01256-z

Religious and Spiritual Practices Used by Children and Adolescents to Cope with Cancer

J Relig Health. 2021 Dec;60(6):4167-4183. doi: 10.1007/s10943-021-01256-z. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Authors

Lucas Rossato¹, Ana M Ullán², Fabio Scorsolini-Comin³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences, University of São Paulo At Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900 - Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-902, Brazil. rossatousp@usp.br.
² Advanced Research Unit in Pediatric Psychology, Department of Social Psychology and Anthropology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
³ Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences, University of São Paulo At Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900 - Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-902, Brazil.

PMID: 33871781
DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01256-z

Abstract

This study consists of an integrative review of the scientific literature that aimed to know the religious and spiritual practices used by children and adolescents to cope with cancer. From searches in the databases/libraries CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, SciELO and Lilacs (2009-2019), the final sample consisted of 20 articles. Prayers were the most widely used practices, followed by sacred books and objects, going to sacred places and the use of music. Improvements in well-being, physical and emotional health have been reported. It is concluded that such practices should be recognized as important resources in coping with cancer illness in this population.

Keywords: Adolescent; Child; Neoplasia; Religion; Spirituality.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Child
Humans
Neoplasms*
Religion
Spirituality*