Spiritual Practices of Parents Caring for Children and Adolescents with Cancer: A Systematic Review
Keywords:
spiritual practices, parents, children and adolescents with cancer, systematic reviewAbstract
Childhood cancer is a condition that causes significant stress to families, especially to parents who often experience psychological burdens. As a result, spiritual practices are commonly adopted to alleviate emotional distress. Spiritual practices play a crucial role in promoting mental well-being and empowering individuals to cope with challenges. These practices help parents manage emotional suffering, restore hope, and find meaning in difficult experiences. This systematic review aimed to summarize and synthesize current literature on the spiritual practices of parents caring for children and adolescents (from birth to 20 years old) with cancer in any stage of the disease. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The tools used included a research screening form, a critical appraisal checklist, and a data extraction form. Literature was searched across four databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest, and PsycINFO, covering the period from January 2017 to February 2025.
A total of 275 studies were identified . After applying the inclusion criteria using the screening and quality appraisal tools, 11 articles met the eligibility criteria. The results of this review identified two main types of spiritual practices among parents of children and adolescents with cancer: 1) religious-related spiritual practices – including prayer, rituals, sermon books, and meditation; and 2) finding social support from various sources, such as other parents, faith communities, and health professionals. This review may enhance the understanding of spiritual practices across different contexts, contributing to more profound spiritual care for parents. It also supports more effective care for children and adolescents with cancer, ultimately improving their quality of life.
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