A Working Model for Religious/Spiritual Intervention of Patients with Breast Cancer in Iran: From the Viewpoints of Experts

Breast cancer may be associated with religious/spiritual problems for women. This multimethod qualitative study aims to show the components of religious/spiritual intervention strategies in breast cancer cases in Iran. The religious/spiritual intervention strategies were arranged according to the patient’s religious/spiritual problems based on the proposed tree diagram. This working model includes answering questions regarding the religious/spiritual cause(s) of the disease; distinguishing between divine justice and getting sick; describing the patient’s attitude toward God and its effect on viewing the disease; explaining the patient’s feelings and emotional relationship with God; identifying weakened religious/spiritual beliefs and replacing them with accepted beliefs; and using daily practices to communicate with God. Implications of the findings and usefulness of this model are discussed. Spiritual care providers can use this model to provide religious/spiritual care services to Iranian Muslim women with breast cancer.