The Relationship Between Psychological Resilience, Ruminative Thoughts, and Spiritual Well-Being of Individuals Diagnosed With Cancer: Descriptive and Correlational Research

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between psychological resilience, ruminative thoughts and spiritual well-being of individuals diagnosed with cancer. Background: Cancer, which can cause fear, anger and future anxiety in individuals from the moment of diagnosis, is a disease that individuals can associate with death, pain, and suffering. Design: A descriptive and correlational research design was employed. Methods: The study sample consisted of 382 patients receiving outpatient treatment at an oncology center affiliated with a university hospital in Turkey. Data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, Ruminative Reactions Scale, Psychological Resilience Scale, and FACIT-Sp Spiritual Well-Being Scale. We evaluated the data via descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses. Results: The resilience score of the participants was 52.48 +/- 6.96, the ruminative reactions score was 44.26 +/- 15.11, and the FACIT-Sp total score was 38.97 +/- 8.23. In the study, there was a moderate and statistically significant positive relationship between the mean psychological resilience score and the mean scores of FACIT-Sp on the meaning, FACIT-Sp peace, FACIT-Sp faith sub-dimensions, and the total scale of FACIT-Sp (p < 0.05). Also, a moderate and statistically significant negative relationship existed between the mean psychological resilience and the ruminative response scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Participants' psychological resilience was slightly higher than moderate, their ruminative thoughts were moderate, and their spiritual well-being was high. In addition, there was a relationship between psychological resilience, ruminative reactions, and spiritual well-being. Relevance to Clinical Practice: They may be important for nurses to plan and implement interventions that will reduce patients' ruminative thinking and increase their spiritual well-being and resilience. Therefore, the results obtained in this study may help nursing care be more effective. Reporting Method: The reporting of the results of the study was conducted in accordance with the STROBE guidelines.