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Religious spirituality and the psychology of coping : lived experience of caregivers of children with cancer
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Type
Thesis
Author
Chua, Eileen Chiew Hoon
Supervisor
Tan, Soo Yin
Abstract
This research explores the role of religious spirituality in the psychology of coping of caregivers of children with cancer in Singapore using a mixed methodology approach. Religious spirituality is believed to be an important resource integral to the psychology of coping and psycho-spiritual transformation. This is especially so when 76.7% of participants in the World Values Survey (2010-2014) (Singapore) of 2012 considered religion important in life. The objectives of this research are to explore and understand the lived experience of caregivers of children with cancer, role of religious spirituality in caregivers’ psychology of coping, potential transformation experienced by caregivers, and the relationship between transformation and caregivers’ coping and psychological well-being. To guide this research from an Asian perspective of religious spiritual coping, a conceptual model, DE Psycho-Spiritual Transformation (DEPST) Model was developed.
Through the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2010), the qualitative part of this study delved into the emic perspectives of 32 caregivers’ lived experiences. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to understand caregivers’ experience from the time of their child’s diagnosis, how they have been coping as caregivers, and their experience of transformation as a result of coping with their child’s illness. The quantitative part of this study examined the relationship between transformation and caregiver’s coping and psychological well-being, through the use of partly quantified qualitative data with two self-report questionnaires: The Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) (McCubbin et al., 1983) and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB) (Ryff, 1989).
Findings from the qualitative study revealed four main themes for the lived experience of caregivers: initial reaction; coming to terms; during child’s treatment; and how we survived. For the role of religious spirituality in caregivers’ psychology of coping, six themes were identified: making meaning of illness; connecting with God and faith community; gaining control; receiving strength and peace; finding hope; and does not play a role. Lastly, five themes were identified for areas of transformation experienced by caregivers: growing as a person; cherishing human connections; treasuring life; living life differently; and becoming more fearful. Findings from the quantitative study confirmed a relationship between transformation and parental coping, but not transformation and psychological well-being. Overall, the findings point to the integral role of religious spirituality in caregivers’ psychology of coping, in terms of their cognition, emotion, and volition. Religious spirituality which transformed caregivers in their spirit, soul, and body enabled them to persevere in their caregiving journey.
Implications of findings on theory, practice, and policy as well as possible future research were discussed in the final chapter. In summary, beyond extending current literature on caregivers of children with cancer, this study highlights the need for mental health professionals, like social workers and counsellors to pay more attention to the role of religious spirituality in caregivers’ psychology of coping. This study also advocates for an integration of religious spirituality into future education and training of mental health professionals so as to provide culturally sensitive intervention to a multi-religious population in Singapore.
Through the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2010), the qualitative part of this study delved into the emic perspectives of 32 caregivers’ lived experiences. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to understand caregivers’ experience from the time of their child’s diagnosis, how they have been coping as caregivers, and their experience of transformation as a result of coping with their child’s illness. The quantitative part of this study examined the relationship between transformation and caregiver’s coping and psychological well-being, through the use of partly quantified qualitative data with two self-report questionnaires: The Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) (McCubbin et al., 1983) and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB) (Ryff, 1989).
Findings from the qualitative study revealed four main themes for the lived experience of caregivers: initial reaction; coming to terms; during child’s treatment; and how we survived. For the role of religious spirituality in caregivers’ psychology of coping, six themes were identified: making meaning of illness; connecting with God and faith community; gaining control; receiving strength and peace; finding hope; and does not play a role. Lastly, five themes were identified for areas of transformation experienced by caregivers: growing as a person; cherishing human connections; treasuring life; living life differently; and becoming more fearful. Findings from the quantitative study confirmed a relationship between transformation and parental coping, but not transformation and psychological well-being. Overall, the findings point to the integral role of religious spirituality in caregivers’ psychology of coping, in terms of their cognition, emotion, and volition. Religious spirituality which transformed caregivers in their spirit, soul, and body enabled them to persevere in their caregiving journey.
Implications of findings on theory, practice, and policy as well as possible future research were discussed in the final chapter. In summary, beyond extending current literature on caregivers of children with cancer, this study highlights the need for mental health professionals, like social workers and counsellors to pay more attention to the role of religious spirituality in caregivers’ psychology of coping. This study also advocates for an integration of religious spirituality into future education and training of mental health professionals so as to provide culturally sensitive intervention to a multi-religious population in Singapore.
Date Issued
2017
Call Number
BF723.S75 Chu
Date Submitted
2017