Relationship of Spiritual Experiences and Hope with Living in Present among Men with Cancer in Tehran

Cancer is the third leading cause of mortality in Iran. Along with other interventions, spiritual experiences, hope and living in present are very important among patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between spiritual experiences and hope with living in the present among men in Tehran in 2016. This descriptive and correlation study was conducted on a sample of 100 men with cancer who were in Tehran by 2016, using available sampling method. The participants completed three questionnaires: Snyder's Hope Questionnaire, Underwood and Tersi's Spiritual Experiences, and Sepahvand and Arab’s Living in Present. Data analysis was performed using single-variable and multiple regression analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient. In this research, all ethical issues were observed and the researchers declared no conflicts of interests. The findings indicated a significant positive correlation between hope and living in present time (p<.01) and also between spiritual experiences and living in present time (p<.05). It seems that therapists need to consider the positive psychological and spiritual role of accepting and improving the treatment of cancer. Spiritual experience which involves communication with God, prayers, and receiving spirituality in life can lead to more congruent behaviors among cancer patients such as finding meaning in life and the experience of living in present. Eventually, these resources can contribute to individual growth and patient empowerment in redefining the disease.