Spiritual expressions of African Americans and Whites in cancer pain.

BackgroundSpiritual practices are one way that individuals cope with cancer pain.PurposeDescribe and contrast expressions and values about the use of spirituality for pain in African American (AA) and White (WH) oncology patients.MethodsSix groups (3 AA; 3 WH; n=42; mean age 58) were conducted. Focus group and qualitative methodology with a cultural interpretive lens was utilized. The Model of Integrated Spirituality provided the conceptual framework for understanding the narratives.FindingsAAs and WHs did not differ on demographics, pain status, or integrative therapies. Three spirituality themes emerged: 1) pain and distress as antecedents to the use of spirituality; 2) active and existential attributes of the use of spirituality; and 3) mobilization of internal and external resources as outcomes. There were commonalities between AAs and WHs but greater frequency of certain subthemes and keywords in AAs.ConclusionsFuture studies should examine whether differences in overt expressions translate into different types and levels of spiritual usage.Implications for practiceClinicians should recognizing similar as well as different uses and descriptions of spirituality between African Americans and Whites.