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Journal of Holistic Nursing
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Meaning in Life and Psycho-Spiritual Functioning

A Comparison of Breast Cancer Survivors and Healthy Women

Susan Bauer-Wu, D.N.Sc., R.N.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, susan_bauer_wu{at}dfci.harvard.edu

Carol J. Farran, D.N.Sc., R.N., F.A.A.N.

Rush University

Purpose: Incorporating holistic health perspectives, this study compared and examined relationships among meaning in life, spirituality, perceived stress, and psychological distress in breast cancer survivors (BCS) and healthy women.Methods:Standardized self-report measures were completed once by all participants (N = 78). Findings: Group comparison revealed statistically significant variances across the measures. Covariate analysis identified BCS without children had less meaningful lives and greater stress and distress than BCS with children and participants without cancer. Significant correlations (p > .001) between meaning in life and spirituality (r = .43), stress (r = -.39), and distress (r = -.41) were also identified.Conclusion:Personal factors (i.e., being a parent) may be especially important in BCS. Also, psychological and spiritual variables are highly correlated, suggesting the use of an integrated term psycho-spiritual functioning.Implications: Holistic nursing interventions can facilitate self-awareness, interpersonal connection, and living a meaningful life, particularly in vulnerable patients such as BCS without children.

Key Words: meaning in life • coping • cancer • spirituality • parenting • psychosocial oncology

Journal of Holistic Nursing, Vol. 23, No. 2, 172-190 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0898010105275927
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