Spiritual Support Experienced at a Cancer Wellness Center. Issue 3 (27th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meluch, Andrea L.
• Is Part Of: Southern communication journal. Volume 83:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 148
• Publication Date: 2018-05-27
• Subjects: Spiritual support -- cancer -- meaning-making; Oral communication -- Periodicals; 302.224205
• DOI: 10.1080/1041794X.2018.1459817
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1041-794X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This exploratory study examines the nature of spiritual support experienced by people diagnosed with cancer at a Cancer Wellness Center. Using qualitative interviews with clients of the Center, this study identifies the types of communication experienced by participants that functions as spiritual support. The key findings of this investigation indicate that participants experienced supportive spiritual communication at the Cancer Wellness Center. In particular, spiritual support helped clients with making meaning and finding purpose in their diagnoses, fostered connection to others through shared beliefs related to spirit and faith, and provided feelings of centeredness. Participants' experiences at the Cancer Wellness Center suggests that a healthcare organization can facilitate access to spiritual support by providing spiritual resources to clients