Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-dnltx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T03:30:01.477Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Efficacy of a written prayer technique on the anxiety of mothers of children with cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 November 2018

Maryam Ahmadi ,
Khdije Zaree ,
Anoushirvan Kazemnejad Leily  and
Akram Sadat Sadat Hoseini
Maryam Ahmadi
Affiliation:
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Khdije Zaree
Affiliation:
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Anoushirvan Kazemnejad Leily
Affiliation:
Biostatistics Department, Medical Sciences Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Akram Sadat Sadat Hoseini*
Affiliation:
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
*
Author for correspondence: Akram Sadat Sadat Hoseini, Pediatric Department, Room 423, Floor 3, Building 2, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mirhkani Street, Tohid Squire, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 1419733171 Tehran, Iran. E-mail: ashoseini@tums.ac.ir
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effect of a written prayer technique on the anxiety of mothers of children with cancer.

Method

This clinical trial recruited 90 mothers of children with cancer admitted to the Medical Centre of Tehran. Using a convenience sampling method, we randomly assigned the participants to two groups: control (n = 45) and intervention (n = 45). Data were collected through the Spielberger's anxiety scale and a demographic questionnaire. Maternal anxiety was measured before the intervention, immediately after the three-day intervention, and five weeks after the intervention. We used a writing technique in the intervention and control groups for 20 minutes over three consecutive days. In the intervention group, participants wrote down their sincere desires and wishes that they demanded from God without any worry or stress. The control group spent 20 minutes writing their normal daily schedules; for example, feeding their children or changing their children's clothes. During the three consecutive days of intervention, we asked both groups not to worry about grammar or spelling errors. Finally, the data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical methods.

Result

A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (intervention and control mean, 34.9 ± 9.9 and 47.9 ± 16.2, respectively) relative to anxiety after the intervention (p < 0.001). After five weeks, the intervention group continued to exhibit significantly reduced anxiety compared with the control group (intervention and control mean, 34.7 ± 9.6 and 48.5 ± 16.4; p < 0.001).

Significance of results

The written prayer technique appears to be an effective, efficient, cost-effective, and practical method for reducing anxiety in mothers of children with cancer.

Keywords

Children with cancerInterventionSpielberger's anxiety scaleWritten prayer technique
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , February 2019 , pp. 54 - 59
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ahmadifaraz, M, Reisi-Dehkordi, N, Mosavizadeh, R, et al. (2015) The effect of group spiritual intervention based on the Quran and prayer on spiritual health of patients with cancer. Journal Isfahan Medicine School 32(320), 2454–2463.Google Scholar
Akbarri, ME, Motlagh, AG, Sheibani, KM, et al. (2009) The role of spiritual care and measurement of spirituality in comprehensive cancer care in Iran. Paper presented at the Second Congress on Supportive and Palliative Care in Cancer, April 22–24, Iran.Google Scholar
Alligood, MR and Tomey, AM (2010) Nursing theory utilization & application. St. Louis, MO: Mosby.Google Scholar
Balboni, T, Vanderwerker, L, Block, S, et al. (2007) Religiousness and spiritual support among advanced cancer patients and associations with end-of-life treatment preferences and quality of life. Journal Clinical Oncology 25(5), 555–560.Google Scholar
Burton, C and King, L (2008) Effects of (very) brief writing on health: The two-minute miracle. British Journal of Health Psychology 13(1), 9–14.Google Scholar
Dehghani, K, Rahimabadi, A, Pourmovahed, Z, et al. (2012) The effect of prayer on level of anxiety in mothers of children with cancer. Iranian Journal of Pediatric Hematology Oncology 2(2), 78–83.Google Scholar
Dossey, B, Keegan, L, and Guzzetta, C (2003) Holistic nursing: A hand book for practice. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.Google Scholar
Edwards, A, Pang, N, Shiu, V, et al. (2010) The understanding of spirituality and the potential role of spiritual care in end-of-life and palliative care: A meta-study of qualitative research. PAlliative Medicine 24(8), 753–770.Google Scholar
Esterling, B, L'Abate, L, Murray, E, et al. (1999) Empirical foundations for writing in prevention and psychotherapy: mental and physical health outcomes. Clinical Psychology Review 19(1), 79–96.Google Scholar
Fletcher, P (2011) My child has cancer finding the silver lining in every mother's nightmare. PediatrNurse 33(3), 164–184.Google Scholar
Fotokian, Z (2004). Quality of life care to cancer patients and their close relatives in Cancer patients in Tehran Imam Khomeini hospital. Master's thesis, Iran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Iran.Google Scholar
Javedanpour, Z, Sadat Hosseini, A, Cheraghi, M, et al. (2017) Comparison of the spiritual care needs of mothers of less than 14-year-old children suffering from cancer in the diagnostic and terminal stages of the disease. Medical Ethics Journal 11(41), 45–56.Google Scholar
Hayley Harriet, R (2008). Hope and ways of coping after breast cancer. Doctoral dissertation, Johannesburg University. Available from http://ujdigispace.uj.ac.za:8080Google Scholar
Hoseyni Vajari, K (2012) Examine the relationship between religious coping and mental health and spiritual well-being of women. Master's thesis, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.Google Scholar
Kadivar, M, Seyedfatemi, N, Akbari, N, et al. (2015) The effect of narrative writing on maternal stress in neonatal intensive care settings. Journal of Maternal and Fetal and Neonatal Medicine 28(8), 938–943.Google Scholar
Kim, Y, Spillers, R, and Hall, D (2012) Quality of life of family caregivers 5 years after a relative's cancer diagnosis: Follow-up of the national quality of life survey for caregivers. Psycholooncology 21(3), 345–353.Google Scholar
Kloss, J and Lisman, S (2002) An exposure-based examination of the effects of written emotional disclosure. British Journal Health Psychology 7(1), 31–46.Google Scholar
Lin, H and Bauer-Wu, S (2003) Psycho-spiritual wellbeing in patients with advanced cancer: An integrative review of the literature. Journal Advance Nursing 44(1), 69–80.Google Scholar
LotfiKashani, F, Mofid, B, and SarafrazMehr, S (2013) Effectiveness of spirituality therapy in decreasing distress of mother of children with cancer. Journal of Medical Ethics 6(20), 174–186.Google Scholar
Meireles, C, Maia, L, Linhares, V, et al. (2015) Influence of spirituality in pediatric cancer management: A systematic review. International Archives of Medicine 8(35), 1–13.Google Scholar
Monazamitabar, F, Ahmadi Tahoor Soltani, M, Bagherian Sararoodi, R, et al. (2015) The effectiveness of writing emotional disclosure on the reduction of depression, anxiety, and stress among veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Ebnesina 17(3), 54–58.Google Scholar
Ramezani, V, Abdul Javad, M, and Moussaoui, M (2010) Effect of writing disclosure on depression and memory capacity in students with high depressive symptoms. Research on Psychological Health Journal 1(4), 19–30.Google Scholar
Rezaei, M, Seyed Fatemi, N, Givari, A, et al. (2008) Relation between prayer activity and spiritual well-being in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Iranian Journal of Nursing 20(52), 51–61.Google Scholar
Rezaie, M, Seyed Fatemi, N, and Hoseyni, F (2010) Spiritual well-being in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. HAYAT 14(3–4), 33–39.Google Scholar
Sadat-Hoseini, AS and Khosropanah, A (2017) Comparing the concept of caring in Islamic perspective with Watson and Parse's Nursing Theories. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research 22(2), 83–90.Google Scholar
sadat Hoseini, A, Alhani, F, and Khosro-panah, A (2011) Explanation of necessity for enter Islamic concept in nursing. Akhlage zisti 2(4), 55–77.Google Scholar
Salarifar, M, Shojaie, M, Mousavi Asl, M, et al. (2008) Mental health with view of Slamic reference. Tehran: SAMT Publications.Google Scholar
Samie Sibani, F, Anushe, M, and Alhani, F (2012) The effect of family counseling on symptom scales of quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Iranian Journal of Breast Disease 27(6).Google Scholar
Saraie, F, Talebi, M, Pezeshki, MZ, et al. (2010) Effects of expressive writing in depression and anxiety in MS. Iranian Journal of Neurologic Sciences 25(8), 465–475.Google Scholar
Shariati, A (1970) Philosophy, prayer, printing, publishing WORSHIP guidance. Tehran.Google Scholar
Tang, S (2006) Concordance of quality-of-life assessment between terminally ill cancer patients and their caregivers. South Medicine Journal 97(12), 49–57.Google Scholar
Tatsumura, Y, Maskarinec, G, Shumay, D, et al. (2003) Religious and spiritual resources. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 9, 64–71.Google Scholar
Walton, J and Sullivan, N (2004) Men of prayer: Spirituality of men with prostate cancer: A grounded theory study. Journal Holistic Nursing 22(2), 133–151.Google Scholar
Watson, J, Craig, C, Robinson, B, et al. (2004) I am not alone: Spirituality of chronically ill rural dwellers. Rehabilitation Nursing 29, 164–168.Google Scholar
Weaver, A and Flannelly, K (2004) The role of religion/spirituality for cancer patients and their caregivers. South Medicine Journal 97(12), 1210–1214.Google Scholar
Woodgate, R (2003) Children's cancer symptom experiences: Keeping the spirit alive in children and their families. Cancer Oncology Nursing Journal 13(3), 142–150.Google Scholar
Yesilbakan, O, Ozkutuk, N, and Ardahan, M (2010) Comparison quality of life of Turkish cancer patients and their family caregivers. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 11(6), 1575–1579.Google Scholar
Young, C and Koopsen, C (2005) Spirituality, health and healing. Thorofare, NJ: Slack Incorporated.Google Scholar