Religious-spiritual coping among family members of children requiring continuous and complex care: a mixed-methods study.

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the use of religious-spiritual coping among family members of children who require continuous and complex care.

Methods: a mixed-methods study was developed in Brazil with family members of children requiring continuous and complex care. In the quantitative stage, 51 family members answered a demographics survey and the Brief Scale for Spiritual/Religious Coping. In the qualitative stage, 15 family members answered an open-ended question about the practice of religiosity and spirituality in their daily lives.

Results: family members' age and number of residents in the household were significantly associated with religious-spiritual coping. Three thematic categories emerged from the statements, revealing an experience marked by trust in God's designs and relief from suffering provided by faith.

Conclusion: family members in this study used positive religious-spiritual coping strategies more frequently, especially those from smaller families. However, younger family members used negative religious-spiritual coping strategies more frequently.