Spirituality among Latino caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: A qualitative study.

180Background: Caregivers of cancer patients often face significant physical, social, and emotional distress. There has been limited research on the association between Latino Caregivers’ spirituality/religiosity, meaning, and spiritual pain. Methods: We interviewed 336 Latino Caregivers of patients at Palliative Care clinics in Chile, Guatemala, and the US. Five open-ended questions were asked about spirituality, religion, meaning, and spiritual pain. Answers were transcribed and data analyzed. The analytic framework was based on an interpretive phenomenological analysis. Initial themes were grouped into themes, connections between themes were developed until a thematic rationale was achieved. Results: Latino caregivers’spirituality and religious beliefs were described as an anchor during the painful witnessing of a loved-ones’suffering. Main themes emerged about relationships, inner strength, hope, and acceptance/reconciliation. It was reported as an integrative force to help them to cultivate hope and ...