Spirituality, Religion, and Health: The Role of Communication, Appraisals, and Coping for Individuals Living with Chronic Illness. J Relig Health 2015 Oct;54(5):1870-85
Date
10/25/2014Pubmed ID
25341570DOI
10.1007/s10943-014-9965-5Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84937971016 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 34 CitationsAbstract
Currently, 10% of Americans are living with a chronic illness. One coping mechanism for individuals living with chronic illness is religion and/or spiritual (R/S). To better explicate the relationship among R/S and psychological well-being, we conceptualize R/S as an interpersonal process involving conversations that may facilitate positive reappraisals. We use a mixed-method approach from data collected from 106 participants, involving a content analysis of R/S conversations and test Burleson and Goldsmith's (Handbook of communication and emotion: research, theory, applications, and contexts, Academic Press, San Diego, pp 245-280, 1998) appraisal-based comforting model. Partial support for the model was found. In addition, the majority of R/S conversations were considered positive, helpful, and supportive. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Author List
Rafferty KA, Billig AK, Mosack KEAuthor
Katie Mosack PhD Associate Professor in the Psychology department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Adaptation, PsychologicalAdult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Chronic Disease
Communication
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Religion and Medicine
Spirituality
Young Adult
