Investigating spiritual aspects of the cancer experience among Samoan supporters

Spirituality is an emotional and psychological sector affecting the quality of life in survivors and their supporters, and the extent to which this has been researched in a highly cultural and spiritual society, such as Pacific Islanders, is lacking. This qualitative study explores the different spiritual dimensions within the coping process among Samoans breast cancer supporters in Southern California as well as describes spiritual and cultural factors that affect supporters during the cancer experience. It investigates supporters' quality of life through interviews and questionnaires, retrospectively answering questions regarding stages of the cancer experience from diagnosis to present involvement. We observed that all supporters provided assistance emotionally, logistically, or both. 95% of them found inner-strength in dealing with the events and expressed a spiritual relationship. All shared a sense of stress and concern, and prayed for self-strength. About half stated that their church played a role in their spirituality, but less than 20% actively sought out support from their church during the process. Within all supporters, comfort and optimism was found in prayer and a commonality for further promoting healthy lifestyles was seen. The inner workings of how spirituality exists or changes over time within Samoan community members experiencing life-changing events require community coping and health promotion efforts that encompasses stress management and appraisal not only for the cancer survivor but the family, friends, and members of spiritual kinships. The implications of these findings will be used to help develop support group programs in the US and American Samoa.