Catholic Culture and Secular Resources as Safeguards for Brazilian Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Exploration of Coping Strategies

Individuals with cancer utilize coping strategies to manage the stress of diagnosis. This qualitative research examines coping mechanisms within a sample of 10 Brazilian cancer patients, selected via purposive sampling. Thematic analysis of interviews indicated the application of both religious and secular (existential and non-existential) coping strategies. The findings illustrate the influence of culture on coping among this sample, suggesting a pronounced role for religious coping within their predominantly Christian backgrounds. Additionally, the results highlight the important role that secular existential and non-existential coping play in navigating cancer for these participants.