Advisory Committee Chair
Sylvie Mrug
Advisory Committee Members
Jenna Lachenaye
David Schwebel
Laura Stoppelbein
Bradley Troxler
Beverly R Williams
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2017
Degree Name by School
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) College of Arts and Sciences
Abstract
Cystic Fibrosis is a chronic, life threatening genetic disorder involving complex medical treatments and numerous psychosocial stressors affecting both the patient and his or her family. Spiritual coping strategies provide useful means to solving problems, developing a sense of control, and making meaning of negative events and have been shown to be useful for people living with chronic illness. This qualitative study focused on the use of spiritual coping strategies and the subjective impact of using such strategies for 15 adolescents with cystic fibrosis and their parents. Thematic analysis identified themes regarding personal and collective spiritual coping strategies, the impact of spiritual coping on participants’ emotional and spiritual well-being, and the perceived impact on physical health. Parents and teens endorsed similar coping strategies, though teens placed more importance on collective religious strategies such as turning to spiritual supports and use of religious texts and materials.
Recommended Citation
Jagielski, Christina Helen, "God is always there for me: Spiritual coping in adolescents with cystic fibrosis and their parents - A qualitative study" (2017). All ETDs from UAB. 2025.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/2025