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Religiosity as a Cultural Resource for Arab-Palestinian Women’s Coping with Cancer

Author

Listed:
  • Mona I. A. Almuhtaseb
  • Francesca Alby
  • Cristina Zucchermaglio
  • Marilena Fatigante

Abstract

Drawing on the discourse analysis of 36 in-depth interviews, this qualitative study explores how Arab-Palestinian women cope with breast cancer and ascribe meaning to their illness within the local religious and traditional cultural context. In particular, the study shows that religious beliefs and practices help Arab-Palestinian women to handle emotional and psychological difficulties while perpetuating traditional cultural norms of concealment. Two main functions of religiosity as a coping resource are analyzed by (a) managing distress and identity crisis and (b) changing the meaning of the illness experience. In this sociocultural context, the practice of religious rituals provides cancer patients with an effective and culturally situated instrument for coping with a deep existential crisis. Practical implications of the study are discussed in the conclusions.

Suggested Citation

  • Mona I. A. Almuhtaseb & Francesca Alby & Cristina Zucchermaglio & Marilena Fatigante, 2020. "Religiosity as a Cultural Resource for Arab-Palestinian Women’s Coping with Cancer," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(1), pages 21582440198, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:10:y:2020:i:1:p:2158244019898730
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244019898730
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cristina Zucchermaglio & Francesca Alby, 2017. "Social Interactions and Cultural Repertoires as Resources for Coping With Breast Cancer," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(1), pages 21582440176, February.
    2. Wilkinson, Sue & Kitzinger, Celia, 2000. "Thinking differently about thinking positive: a discursive approach to cancer patients' talk," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(6), pages 797-811, March.
    3. Thuné-Boyle, Ingela C. & Stygall, Jan A. & Keshtgar, Mohammed R. & Newman, Stanton P., 2006. "Do religious/spiritual coping strategies affect illness adjustment in patients with cancer? A systematic review of the literature," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(1), pages 151-164, July.
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    1. Frounfelker, Rochelle L. & Mishra, Tej & Dhesi, Srishity & Gautam, Bhuwan & Adhikari, Narad & Betancourt, Theresa S., 2020. "“We are all under the same roof”: Coping and meaning-making among older Bhutanese with a refugee life experience," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).

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