Profile of scientific production on religiosity and spirituality in coping with childhood cancer

Abstract

This study aims to present the profile of scientific production on the use of religiosity/spirituality in coping with childhood cancer. It is an integrative review in the bases/libraries Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Psychology Information (PsycINFO), Pubmed, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Latin America and the Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS) (2009–2019). The guiding question was “How is religiosity/spirituality present in the treatment experiences of children and adolescents with cancer?” By the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 31 studies were retrieved. Most studies are from the United States; 2015 was the greatest publication year, and the participants in these surveys were children, adolescents, family members, and health professionals. Most studies did not specify what the participants’ belief was. Interviews were the most used collection instruments, and the hospital environment was the main place for recruiting the subjects. The data found provide significant information for understanding the profile of scientific production related to the investigation of religiosity/spirituality in the experiences of cancer by children and adolescents and point out possible paths for future investigations in the area.