INDIAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH STUDIES - Volume 6 Issue 2, July 24

Pages: 3-20

Religious Coping in the Indian Scenario

Gargi Dhaka & Himangini Rathore Hooja

Category: Health Studies

Download PDF

Abstract:

Religious coping plays a crucial role in how individuals manage stress and trauma, particularly within the diverse cultural context of India. This study explores the interrelationships between religious coping, post-traumatic growth (PTG), and psychological well-being (PWB) among a sample of 150 cancer patients aged 30-50 years admitted to Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Bikaner. Using the Brief RCOPE (Religious Coping Scale), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), we found that positive religious coping strategies are significantly associated with higher levels of PTG and PWB, whereas negative religious coping correlates with poorer psychological outcomes. These findings highlight the beneficial impact of positive religious coping on psychological resilience and growth while emphasising the detrimental effects of negative religious coping. The results underscore the importance of integrating spiritual and religious dimensions into mental health interventions to foster holistic healing and well-being. Despite its contributions, the study is limited by its reliance on self-report measures and a cross-sectional design. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and qualitative approaches to deepen understanding and develop culturally sensitive mental health practices that incorporate religious coping mechanisms.

Keywords: Religious coping, post-traumatic growth, psychological well-being, cancer patients, cultural sensitivity

DOI: 10.56490/IJHS.2024.6201

DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.56490/IJHS.2024.6201