1. Role of religion and spirituality in cancer coping among African Americans: A qualitative examination Cheryl L. Holt 1, PhD; Emily Schulz 1, PhD; Lee Caplan 2, PhD; Victor Blake 2, MD, MTS; Penny Southward 1, MPPM; Hope Lawrence 1, BS; Ayanna Buckner 2, MD The University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine 1 ; Morehouse School of Medicine 2 Abstract There is ample literature suggesting that African American cancer patients rely on religion and/or spirituality (RS) to cope. However, what is yet to be determined is which aspects of RS are important in cancer coping. Because both religion and spirituality are multifactorial, it is possible that some factors are important in cancer coping and others are less important. The present study explored mediators of RS and cancer coping among African Americans. This was done through semi-structured interviews with African American cancer patients. Interviewed patients were six months to five years post- diagnosis. The data were analyzed using an open-coding procedure. Objectives The present study examined mediators of the RS and cancer coping relationship among African Americans with a cancer diagnosis. The study contributes significantly beyond existing work in religious coping because of the 1) focus on cancer; 2) focus on African Americans; 3) specific role of RS being examined; 4) inclusion of spirituality; 5) clear potential for application to cancer survivorship interventions. MethodsResultsConclusion Mediators of RS & Cancer Coping/QOL References This work was supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute (#1 U54 CA118948- 01). Religious themes identified God is a healer directly &/or through doctors Faith and belief are important in healing Prayer and Bible study important in healing God helps one “get through” the illness The Devil plays a role in cancer/recurrence Meaning-making of illness (e.g., Why me?) Spiritual themes identified Connections to others; self; God; world Cancer brings new perspective on life Secular themes identified Sense lack of control over illness Social support is very important Fear of death; realize own mortality Sampling and eligibility criteria Patients identified through physician offices at UAB and MSM African Americans with any cancer diagnosis 6 months - 5 years ago Interviewing and data collection Trained interviewers conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews with patients Patients received $25 Visa gift card Audio tapes of interviews transcribed verbatim Qualitative data analysis Entire research team reviewed verbatim transcripts and identified preliminary themes Codebook developed based on these themes Coders trained on 10% random data sample Reliability checked until adequate Coding pairs coded data; disagreements resolved through discussion Participants N=15 (7 Men) Age 21-80 6 breast; 4 head/neck; 2 lung; 1 prostate; 1 cervical; 1 ovarian Participants had much to say about the role of RS in their cancer experience. Clear themes emerged from the data. Data analysis is ongoing, including 15 additional patients from the MSM site. Next steps will be to identify and/or develop instruments that assess the mediators, and conduct analyses to provide quantitative support for the role of the various mediators of the RS-cancer coping relationship. In this way, more can be learned about the specific role of RS in cancer coping and quality of life (QOL). Interventions can then be designed around these mediators, which can improve survivorship. “…just trusting and believing in His word just and they was following up with scriptures where you can go to the Bible and find it and read it and you know you get more consolation, I get more consolation in reading his word, you know.” Religiosity Spirituality Faith Meaning Support Coping QOL Stress