Page No.411-419
Gargi Dhaka and Himangini Rathore Hooja
IIS (deemed-to-be) University, Jaipur
Navigating the complex journey of cancer treatment, patients often turn to their spiritual
beliefs for comfort and resilience. This study explores the critical interplay between
well-being, religious coping, and medical adherence among cancer patients. We
surveyed 200 patients aged 18 to 50 admitted in Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Institute
and Research Centre, Bikaner, utilizing the Brief Religious Coping Scale (RCOPE),
the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – General (FACT-G), and the Morisky
Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). Findings revealed that well-being is a significant
predictor of adherence to medical regimens, suggesting that greater levels of wellbeing correlate with improved adherence. Positive religious coping was found to enhance
adherence significantly, while negative religious coping posed a substantial barrier.
The mediation analysis demonstrated that religious coping mediates the relationship
between well-being and adherence, with both positive and negative coping strategies
playing crucial roles. These insights underscore the importance of fostering positive
religious coping and addressing negative coping strategies. This study highlights the
value of integrating spiritual care into cancer treatment plans, promoting holistic healing
and improved health outcomes. Future research should explore these dynamics over
time and incorporate objective adherence measures to further illuminate this critical
pathway to recovery