Religiosity, spirituality and quality of life in family members of pediatric oncology patients of a referral hospital in the northeastern brazil

Abstract

Objective: to characterize the sociodemographic profile and analyze the association between religiosity, spirituality, as elements to face the sickness and quality of life in relatives of pediatric oncology patients at a referral hospital. Method: descriptive cross-sectional study with quantitative methodology, carried out from 2017 to 2018. Data collected through Whoqol bref and Brief Spiritual/Religious Coping Scale. Results: 47 family members were interviewed, with a profile composed predominantly of female relatives, from 30 to 39 years old, married, mothers with more than 1 child, upstate residents, with incomplete primary education, family income of 1 to 3 minimum wages and protestant religion. It was noted that the elderly and those who abandoned their home to seek the best treatment had the worst average for quality of life, while married people and young people had the best. Spiritualized people have shown themselves to be more able to cope with adversity, as those whose religious frequency appears regularly. Moreover, the majority affirms that religiosity and spirituality are very important, but few were approached spiritually during medical care. Conclusion: in relation to the evaluated public, spirituality is an important factor when dealing with stressful situations, as well as to provide better quality of life for family members. Scientifically, the need for more research on the topic is evident, given the indisputable value of future contributions to the field of health.