Factors Affecting the Tendency of Cancer Patients for Religion and Spirituality: A Questionnaire-Based Study.

This descriptive, cross-sectional, and analytical study was carried out to identify the factors affecting the tendency of cancer patients for the religion and spirituality. The research was applied on a total of 800 individuals: 400 cancer patients under chemotherapy and 400 non-cancer individuals. Data were collected by personal information form, Ok-Religious Attitude Scale, and spiritual life questions. LISREL 8.7 program was run for the confirmatory factor analysis in order to evaluate the compliance of spiritual life questions. Data from Ok-Religious Attitude Scale and scores collected from spiritual life questions for both cancer and non-cancer individuals were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA. Cancer patients (82.8%) prayed more than non-cancer individuals (72.5%). Non-cancer individuals, on the other hand, visited the tombs (13.8%), sacrificed (22.2%), consulted the religious officials (9.2%), and more. The patients had more positive religious attitude than non-cancer individuals (Z = 4.193; p = 0.0001). Religious women were more positive than religious men. Lower education level caused more positive religious attitude. Medical properties of patients did not affect the religious attitude. Forgiveness, spiritual values, and beliefs were stronger in cancer patients than in non-cancer individuals (p = 0.0001). Knowing the factors affecting spiritual life and religious attitudes of patients and determining the spiritual needs of patients with a holistic perspective facilitate compliance of patients with cancer and its treatment. Therefore, containing the spiritual routine in the nursing care is essential.