Biopsychosocial dimensions of cancer and spiritual coping strategies: a phenomenological study of patient experiences.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of individuals living with cancer across biopsychosocial dimensions and to understand the meanings they attributed to spirituality and their forms of spiritual coping within the illness process.

METHODS

This qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological design. Thirteen patients with cancer were recruited from a public hospital using criterion sampling, a purposive sampling strategy. Data were collected through individual, face-to-face, semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological analysis method. The sample size was determined based on data saturation.

RESULTS

As a result of data analysis, three themes (perception of cancer and reactions to the process, biopsychosocial effects of the disease, and coping with cancer and spiritual resilience) and nine subthemes (initial perception of cancer, changing perception over time, starting treatment, recurrence experience, physical effects, psychological effects, social effects, spiritual coping methods, and perception of coping) were identified.

CONCLUSION

The findings showed that living with cancer is a multidimensional process shaped by changing perceptions and reactions and interconnected physical, psychological, and social difficulties. Spirituality emerged as a personal coping resource used by some participants to give meaning to the illness experience, maintain hope, and find strength to endure. However, differences in participants' perceptions of coping indicated that the use of spiritual resources was not always accompanied by a strong perception of coping. These findings highlight the importance of addressing the changing biopsychosocial needs and personal coping resources of individuals living with cancer through an individualized and holistic approach.