How women with advanced cancer pray: a report from two focus groups.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore the meaning, function, and focus of prayer for patients with advanced cancer, and to identify the effects of prayer on their coping. RESEARCH APPROACH Qualitative, descriptive design using focus groups. SETTING Three cancer centers that are part of a university-affiliated comprehensive cancer network in the northeastern United States. PARTICIPANTS 13 adult, female outpatients receiving active treatment for ovarian or lung cancer. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH Two semistructured, focus group interviews were conducted. Audiotapes were transcribed verbatim. Data were coded and analyzed using standard content analysis procedures. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Prayer and coping. FINDINGS Four themes emerged: finding one's own way, renewed appreciation for life, provision of strength and courage, and gaining a stronger spiritual connection. In addition, praying for others, conversational prayer, petitionary prayer, ritual prayer, and thanksgiving prayer were used most often by participants to cope. CONCLUSIONS The findings support prayer as a positive coping mechanism for women with advanced ovarian or lung cancer. INTERPRETATION The study provides knowledge about prayer as a source of spiritual and psychological support. Oncology nurses should consider the use of prayer for patients coping with advanced cancer.