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Abstract
The present study used qualitative methods to examine if and how African Americans with cancer use religiosity in coping. Patients (N = 23) were recruited from physician offices and completed 1–1½ hour interviews. Themes that emerged included but were not limited to control over one's illness, emotional response, importance of social support, role of God as a healer, relying on God, importance of faith for recovery, prayer and scripture study, and making sense of the illness. Participants had a great deal to say about the role of religion in coping. These themes may have utility for development of support interventions if they can be operationalized and intervened upon.
This publication was supported by Grant Number (#1 U54 CA118948-01) from the National Cancer Institute, and was approved by the University of Alabama at Birmingham Institutional Review Board (#X051004004). The authors would like to acknowledge Drs. Mark Dransfield, Andres Forero, Helen Krontiras, and Sharon Spencer for their assistance with participant access and recruitment for this study, and Pat Jackson for assistance with the data collection.