[Strain experience and religiosity. A comparison of patients with chronic pain and breast cancer].

BACKGROUND

Studies show that especially ill people turn to their religious faith to find help in dealing with their diseases. However, religiousness is assumed to vary in its extent and effect depending on different kinds of strain.

METHODS

In order to differentiate patterns of strain and coping, a sample of 178 patients with chronic pain was compared with 167 breast cancer patients.

RESULTS

Pain patients show higher strain and impairment on almost all variables. Regression analyses indicate that patients with chronic pain are less religious in comparison to the breast cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Different values of the religious variables can be explained by different characteristics of the strain: Due to the threat to life experienced by the patients, the breast cancer group is more likely to turn to religiousness for help. Specific characteristics of chronic pain (e.g. longer illness duration, a stronger impairment in everyday activities) lead to higher resignation, also concerning religious efforts.