Studying methods of spiritual adaptations and their relationship with physical and mental symptoms of patients with cancer

Introduction & Aim: Spirituality is considered as an important source against chronic diseases and it can keep and promote self-esteem, mental comfort and hope of patients. Concerning its importance, the present study aims to investigate methods of spiritual adaptation and its relation with physical and mental symptoms of patients with cancer who referred to oncologic ward of Shahid Bahonar hospital of Kerman. Methods: This is correlative-descriptive study and 159 patients with cancer participated in the study. Information was collected using a four part questionnaire including demographic characteristics and those related to the disease, spiritual adaptation questionnaire, physical symptoms and mental symptoms. Information was analyzed using Mann-Whitney, Wilco xon tests, variance analysis and Spearman correlation coefficient Results: The results of this study showed that mean application of methods of spiritual adaptation was 35.69±10.92 such that mean application of religious adaptation and non-religious adaptation was 16.92±5.6 and 18.77±6.24 respectively. In addition, physical symptoms perceived by patients were fatigue, drowsiness and lacking appetite. There was an inverse and significant difference between non-religious adaptation, physical symptoms (P= 0.005, R= - 0.22) and anxiety (P=0.04). Conclusion: Concerning the results of the study, spiritual strategies of family members of the patients and treatment team can reduce mental-spiritual pressures resulted from cancer diagnosis and treatment in patients. Consulting spiritual and religious programs can reduce physical and mental complications resulting in the promotion of life quality of patients

Keywords:

Spiritual adaptation , Mental-physical symptoms , Cancer