- The diagnosis of cancer troubles people and their identity; it is a threat for their survival. To cope with cancer, people have to collect all their psychological and relational resources. The behavioral system of attachment is activated when people are in danger and it makes them looking for significant others who can be a "secure base" for them. This study investigates the role of specific adult attachment relationships, such as the bond with God and with the partner, on coping with cancer, hypothesizing that patients with a secure attachment with God or with the partner cope better and perceive less stress, respect to patients with an insecure attachment. The results show that the intensity of religious beliefs and security of attachment with God and with the partner are associated to some specific coping strategies to cancer. In particular, insecurity of attachment to God and a specific aspect of insecurity of attachment to the partner (fear of loss) are connected to a higher level of anxiety and a lower level of fighting spirit in coping with cancer. Only attachment to God is associated to a lower level of perceived stress.
Intrinsic religiousness and well-being among cancer patients: the mediating role of control-related religious coping and self-efficacy for coping with cancer
