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Religious and Spiritual Practices Used by Children and Adolescents to Cope with Cancer

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Abstract

This study consists of an integrative review of the scientific literature that aimed to know the religious and spiritual practices used by children and adolescents to cope with cancer. From searches in the databases/libraries CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, SciELO and Lilacs (2009–2019), the final sample consisted of 20 articles. Prayers were the most widely used practices, followed by sacred books and objects, going to sacred places and the use of music. Improvements in well-being, physical and emotional health have been reported. It is concluded that such practices should be recognized as important resources in coping with cancer illness in this population.

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Funding

This study was financed by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).

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  1. Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences, University of São Paulo At Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900 - Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-902, Brazil

    Lucas Rossato & Fabio Scorsolini-Comin

  2. Advanced Research Unit in Pediatric Psychology, Department of Social Psychology and Anthropology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain

    Ana M. Ullán

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  1. Lucas Rossato
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  2. Ana M. Ullán
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Correspondence to Lucas Rossato.

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The first autor has received research grants from Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). Organization linked to the Ministry of Education of Brazil. The third author has financial support from the Nacional Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).  According to ethical standards, this manuscript has no other conflict of interest.

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Rossato, L., Ullán, A.M. & Scorsolini-Comin, F. Religious and Spiritual Practices Used by Children and Adolescents to Cope with Cancer. J Relig Health 60, 4167–4183 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01256-z

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