Lived Spiritual Experiences of Cancer Survivors with Long-term Meditation Practices: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Numerous studies have shown the beneficial role that spirituality can play in helping cancer survivors cope with the disease process, but there is limited research about the lived experiences of cancer survivors who have had a spiritually based meditation practice prior to diagnosis. The purpose of...
| Authors: | ; ; ; |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Springer Science Business Media B. V.
2022
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| In: |
Pastoral psychology
Year: 2022, Volume: 71, Issue: 4, Pages: 485-501 |
| Further subjects: | B
Cancer survivors
B Spirituality B Meditation B Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis B Brahmakumari B Raja Yoga |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Numerous studies have shown the beneficial role that spirituality can play in helping cancer survivors cope with the disease process, but there is limited research about the lived experiences of cancer survivors who have had a spiritually based meditation practice prior to diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning of the spiritual experiences of cancer survivors who were long-term Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga meditation (BK-RYM) practitioners. A total of six participants with a history of cancer diagnosis were recruited from BK-RYM centers. Participants were interviewed in-depth, and the data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Seven superordinate themes were identified from a cross analysis of the participants’ narratives: (A) mental stability and clarity, (B) spiritual connection and self-empowerment, (C) personal relationship with God, (D) mind-body-soul healing practices, (E) empowering support system, (F) positive health outcomes, and (G) post-cancer spiritual growth. An additional singular theme emerged for one participant: (H) transient negative state of mind. These findings point toward the possibility that integrating spiritually focused meditation early in a cancer diagnosis may improve the quality of life and well-being of cancer survivors. Such spiritual measures may serve to reduce suffering as well as reduce healthcare costs by decreasing cancer-related emotional and physical complications. |
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| ISSN: | 1573-6679 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Pastoral psychology
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1007/s11089-022-01014-2 |