Spiritual-Religious Needs of Cancer Caregivers: Facet Theory

Religion and spirituality play an inseparable role in dealing with stressful events. The purpose of this study is to identify the religious and spiritual needs of caregivers of cancer patients in order to provide the necessary information to design educational and psychological interventions based on the needs of these caregivers.

Methods and Materials:

It has been done in a qualitative way and with the approach of the facet theory of 2020. Participants are caregivers of cancer patients in Tehran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 21 caregivers and through theoretical and purposive sampling to achieve information saturation. Coding coverage of the interviews and observations, their needs and classifications were extracted.

The discovered religious and spiritual needs were categorized into two categories: “need for more connection with God” and “revision of spiritual and religious ideas”. The most important subcategories are: “need for religious religion”, “need to overcome the fear of death”, “need to understand the meaning of life” and “need to solve challenges to God’s justice”.

The religious and spiritual consequences of cancer are significant for the caregiver. Considering the cultural and religious context of society, the high burden of responsibility and the pressures caused by the problems and the imminent loss of a loved one, the caregivers reconsider their spiritual and religious beliefs, and if they are not guided in this reconsideration, they may notice misguidance. Empowering caregivers about the religious and spiritual consequences they may experience and educating people in the community and loved ones to understand the caregiver status.