This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Strang, S. Articles by Strang, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Strang, S. Articles by Strang, P. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Spiritual thoughts, coping and ‘sense of coherence’ in brain tumour patients and their spouses

Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg

Peter Strang

Palliative Research Unit, Linköping University, Vrinnevi Hospital, Norrköping

When a person is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, existential questions are easily triggered. The aims of this study were to explore to what extent brain tumour patients and their next of kin were able to cope, understand and create meaning in their situation, to explore whether spirituality could be supportive and to analyse whether these concepts are related to Antonovsky's concept of sense of coherence. Using a purposive sampling technique, 20 patients and 16 of their next of kin took part in tape-recorded interviews. A content and context analysis was performed using a hermeneutic approach.

We found that comprehensibility was to a large extent constructed by the patient's own thoughts and theories, despite an insecure situation. Manageability was achieved by active information-seeking strategies, by social support and by coping, including positive reinterpretation of the situation. Meaningfulness was central for quality of life and was created by close relations and faith, as well as by work. A crucial factor was whether the person had a ‘fighting spirit’ that motivated him or her to go on. As only three patients were believers, trust in God had generally been replaced by a belief and confidence in oneself, in science, in positive thinking and by closeness to nature.

Sense of coherence as a concept can explain how exposed persons handle their situation. In its construction, sence of coherence integrates essential parts of the stress/coping model (comprehensibility, manageability) and of spirituality (meaning).

Key Words: sense of coherence • spiritual • coping • brain tumour • spouse

Palliative Medicine, Vol. 15, No. 2, 127-134 (2001)
DOI: 10.1191/026921601670322085


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				I. Hasson-Ohayon, M. Braun, D. Galinsky, and L. Baider Religiosity and Hope: A Path for Women Coping With a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Psychosomatics, September 1, 2009; 50(5): 525 - 533. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Karlsson, P. Strang, and A. Milberg Attitudes toward euthanasia among Swedish medical students Palliative Medicine, October 1, 2007; 21(7): 615 - 622. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Eriksson and B. Lindstrom Validity of Antonovsky's sense of coherence scale: a systematic review J Epidemiol Community Health, June 1, 2005; 59(6): 460 - 466. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]