The Association between Quality of Life and Religious Coping in Lung Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Case Study

Abstract

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that is difficult to cure, yet the number of lung cancer patients continues to increase every year. Due the difficulty of fully recovering from lung cancer, patients need an effective coping strategy to help them maintain their quality of life. The present research is a qualitative case study aimed to determine the linkage between religious coping and quality of life among lung cancer patients. The subjects consisted of 5 lung cancer patients who were undergoing lung cancer treatment at a Bandung regional hospital specializing in lung and respiratory diseases. Data was obtained through questionnaires and interview. The questionnaires consisted of the WHOQOL-BREF to measure the degree of quality of life and the BRIEF RCOPE to assess the type of religious coping used. The results showed a link between quality of life and religious coping in several participants. The relationship between the two variables depended on an individual’s value toward God and their comprehension of religion as an aid that helps them manage their pain, their commitment to God and religion, as well as the style of religious coping used to solve their problem. The results of this research can potentially be used by hospitals, families, and caregivers to help patients improve their quality of life while dealing with cancer and its effects.