Spiritual Well-Being, Religiosity, Quality of Life, Distress, Social Support, Depression, and Anxiety Among English- and Arabic-Speaking Muslim Americans With Advanced Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study Journal Article


Authors: Ayash, C.; Jdid, M.; Kakade, A.; Wu, M.; Narang, B.; Lazenby, M.; Gany, F.
Article Title: Spiritual Well-Being, Religiosity, Quality of Life, Distress, Social Support, Depression, and Anxiety Among English- and Arabic-Speaking Muslim Americans With Advanced Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract: Objective: To learn about spiritual and psychosocial palliative care needs of Muslim Americans with advanced cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional English/Arabic (patient preference) survey was conducted with 120 Muslim Americans with advanced cancer in New York City (2022–2023). Survey instruments included Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G, quality of life), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS—2 subscales), Medical Outcomes Study (MOS—emotional, tangible, affectionate support, positive social interactions), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Spiritual Wellbeing (FACIT-SP—spiritual wellbeing, Modified Duke Religious Index (DUREL—religious involvement), Distress Thermometer and Problems List. Results: Most participants were from South Asia (30.8%), Middle East/North Africa (30.8%), and US (21.7%). On average, patients had high quality of life (FACT-G), little anxiety/depression (HADS), and high social support (MOS), spiritual wellbeing (FACIT-Sp), and religious involvement (DUREL); 51.7% had clinically high Distress Thermometer scores (4–10). We found strong positive correlations between FACIT-Sp and both total FACT-G (p < 0.001) and MOS (p < 0.001). There was a moderate positive correlation between FACIT-Sp and DUREL-intrinsic religiosity (p = 0.002). There was a strong positive correlation between total FACT-G and MOS (p < 0.001). There were strong negative correlations between Distress and FACT-G (p < 0.001), FACIT-Sp (p < 0.001), and MOS (p < 0.001). There were strong negative correlations between the HADS scales and FACT-G (p < 0.001), FACIT-Sp (p < 0.001), and MOS (p < 0.001). The HADS scales showed strong positive correlations with distress (p < 0.001) and each other (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Spirituality, religiosity, and social support may be assets in palliative care for Muslim Americans. Providers should work with patients to determine their individual palliative care needs. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords: adult; major clinical study; advanced cancer; colorectal cancer; palliative care; quality of life; breast cancer; palliative therapy; lung cancer; oncology; social support; depression; diagnosis; distress syndrome; cross-sectional study; cross-sectional studies; anxiety; new york; religion; spirituality; speech; therapy; hospital anxiety and depression scale; patient preference; thermometer; spiritual well-being; south asia; social interaction; middle east; spiritual healing; functional assessment of chronic illness therapy spiritual well being scale; kolmogorov smirnov test; cancer; religiosity; human; male; female; article; electronic health record; functional assessment of cancer therapy general; physical well-being; functional assessment of chronic illness therapy; north africa; islam; spss v29 software; muslim
Journal Title: Psycho-Oncology
Volume: 34
Issue: 8
ISSN: 10579249
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.  
Date Published: 2025-01-01
Start Page: e70255
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/pon.70255
PUBMED: 40804021
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Source: Scopus
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