Testimony and Meaning: A Qualitative Study of Black Women With Cancer Diagnoses

Objective: Research has established religion and spirituality as important resources for Black people in the U.S. coping with adversity. Most research has been from an etic perspective, examining religious variables that are valid across multiple religions. In the present study, we asked what emic aspects of the Black church's practices and theological emphases women with cancer drew on in constructing meaning-making narratives from their cancer experience. Method: In this consensual qualitative research study, we interviewed 30 Black women with cancer histories with an average age of 64.5. Results: The religious practice of testimony emerged as the predominant theme. Testimony (a) provided a meaningful purpose to the cancer experience; (b) had a specific content of describing what God had done in their lives as well as some common theological emphases; (c) had dual desired outcomes of helping others and bringing glory to God; and (d) had an associated practice of giving testimony. Conclusion: We discuss testimony as a narrative structure and highlight its importance in informing culturally sensitive interventions aimed at supporting Black women with cancer. Public Significance Statement This study suggests that many Black women employ the religious practice of testimony in coping with cancer diagnoses. Testimony has a narrative structure in which the cancer story is intertwined with a story about God's involvement. These findings suggest that counselors may find it productive to facilitate narratives that draw on the characteristics of testimony in supporting the coping of Black clients with cancer.