Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Effect of Pastoral Care Services on Anxiety, Depression, Hope, Religious Coping, and Religious Problem Solving Styles: A Randomized Controlled Study

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Religion and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This randomized controlled study measured the effect of chaplain interventions on coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients over time. One hundred sixty-six CABG patients, received pre- and post-surgery testing at 1 month and 6 months with four instruments. Five chaplain visits were made to the intervention group, the control group received none. Comparison scores for anxiety, depression, hope, positive and negative religious coping, and religious coping styles were analyzed. Significant difference was found between groups in positive religious coping (PRC) (p = .023) and negative religious coping (NRC) (p = .046) scores over time. PRC increased in intervention group, decreased in the control group while NRC decreased in intervention group and increased in the control group. Demographics were comparable between groups. Moderate chaplain visits (average total visits time, 44 min) may be effective in helping CABG patients increase positive religious coping and decrease negative religious coping.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beckie, T. M., Beckstead, J. W., & Webb, M. S. (2001). Modeling women’s quality of life after cardiac events. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 23(2), 179–194.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daly, J., Davidson, P. M., & Jackson, D. (1999). The experience of hope for survivors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI): A qualitative research study. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 16(3), 38–44.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duits, A. A., Duivenvoorden, H. J., Boeke, S., Taams, M. A., Mochtar, B., Krauss, X. H., Passchier, J., & Erdman, R. A. M. (1998). The course of anxiety and depression in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 45(2), 127–138.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Evangelista, L. S., Doering, L. V., Dracup, K., Vassilakis, M. E., & Kobashigawa, J. (2003). Hope, mood states and quality of life in female heart transplant recipients. The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 22(6), 681–686.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, R. C., Dew, M. A., Lee, A., Amaya, M., Buches, L., Reetz, D., & Coleman, G. (1995). The role of religion in heart-transplant recipients’ long-term health and well-being. Journal of Religion and Health, 34(1), 17–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrmann, C. (1997). International experiences with the hospital anxiety and depression scale—A review of validation data and clinical results. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 42(1), 17–41.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herth, K. (1992). Abbreviated instrument to measure hope: Development and psychometric evaluation. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 17, 1251–1259.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iler, W. M., Obenshain, D., & Camac, M. (2001). The impact of daily visits from chaplains on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A pilot study. Chaplaincy Today 17(1), 5–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, M., Foulkes, J., Johnston, D. W., Pollard, B., & Gudmundsdottir, H. (1999). Impact on patients and partners of inpatient and extended cardiac counseling and rehabilitation: A controlled trial. Psychosomatic Medicine, 61(2), 225–233.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H., McCullough, M., & Larson, D. (2001). Handbook of religion and health. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H. G., Pargament, K. I., & Nielsen, J. (1998). Religious coping and health status in medically ill hospitalized older adults. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 186(9), 513–521.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koivula, M., Tarkka, M. T, Tarkka, M., Laippala, P., & Paunonen-Ilmonen, M. (2002a). Fear and anxiety in patients at different time-points in the coronary artery bypass process. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 39, 811–822.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koivula, M., Tarkka, M. -T., Tarkka, M., Laippala, P., & Paunonen-Ilmonen M. (2002b). Fear and in-hospital social support for artery bypass grafting patients on the day before surgery. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 39, 415–427.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewin, B., Robertson, I. H., Cay, E. L., Irving, J. B., & Campbell, M. (1992). Effects of self-help post-myocardial-infarction rehabilitation on psychological adjustment and use of health services. Lancet, 339, 1036–1040.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mayou, R. A., Thompson, D. R., Clements, A., Davies, C. H., Goodwin, S. J., Normington, K., Hicks, N., & Price, J. (2002). Guideline-based early rehabilitation after myocardial infarction. A pragmatic randomised controlled trial. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 52, 89–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McIntosh, D., & Spilka, B. (1990). Religion and physical health: The role of personal faith and control beliefs. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 2, 167–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oxman, T. E., Freeman, D. H., & Manheimer, E. D. (1995). Lack of social participation or religious strength and comfort as risk factors for death after cardiac surgery in the elderly. Psychosomatic Medicine, 57, 5–15.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parent, N., & Fortin, F. (2000). A randomized, controlled trial of vicarious experience through peer support for male first-time cardiac surgery patients: Impact on anxiety, self-efficacy expectation, and self-reported activity. Heart & Lung, 29(6), 389–400.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I., Kennel, J., Hathaway, W., Grevengoed, N., Newman, J., & Jones, W. (1988). Religion and the problem-solving process: Three styles of coping. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 27(1), 90–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I., Koenig, H. G., Tarakeshwar, N., & Hahn, J. (2001). Religious struggle as a predictor of mortality among medically ill elderly patients: A 2-year longitudinal study. Archives of Internal Medicine, 161(15), 1881–1885.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I., Smith, B. W., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. (1998). Patterns of positive and negative religious coping with major life stressors. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37(4), 710–724.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K., VandeCreek, L., Belavich, T., Brant, C., & Perez, L. (1999). The vigil: Religion and the search for control in the hospital waiting room. Journal of Health Psychology, 4(3), 327–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perski, A., Feleke, E., Anderson, G., Samad, B., Westerlund, H., Ericsson, C. G., & Rehnqvist, N. (1998). Emotional distress before coronary bypass grafting limits the benefits of surgery. American Heart Journal, 136(3), 510–517.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rustoen, T., Wahl, A. K., Hanestad, B. R., Gjengedal, E., & Moum, T. (2004). Expressions of hope in cystic fibrosis patients: A comparison with the general population. Heart & Lung, 33(2), 111–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saur, C. D., Granger, B. B., Muhlbaier, L. H., Forman, L. M., McKenzie, R. J., Taylor, M. C., & Smith, P.K. (2001). Depressive symptoms and outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting. American Journal of Critical Care, 10(1), 4–10.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sears, S., Rodrigue, J., Greene, A., Fauerbach, P., & Mills, R. (1997). Religious coping and heart transplantation: From threat to Health. Journal of Religion and Health, 36(4), 345–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staples, P., & Jeffrey, J. (1997). Quality of life, hope, and uncertainty of cardiac patients and their spouses before coronary artery bypass surgery. Canadian Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 8(1), 7–16.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stordal, E., Bjartveit, K. M., Dahl, N. H., Kruger, O., Mykletun, A., & Dahl, A. A. (2001). Depression in relation to age and gender in the general population: The Nord-Trondelag Health Study (HUNT). Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 104(3), 210–16.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, D. R., & Meddis, R. (1990). A prospective evaluation of in-hospital counselling for first time myocardial infarction men. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 34(3), 237–248.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • VandeCreek, L., Pargament, K., Belavich, T., Cowell, B., & Friedel, L. (1999). The unique benefits of religious support during cardiac bypass surgery. The Journal of Pastoral Care, 53(1), 19–29.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the generous support of the Values Fund for Religion and Spiritual Integration in Health Care of Clarian Health Partners, Inc. We are indebted to physicians and their staff who made referrals and provided private space for confidential testing. This project was made possible by the dedicated work of Kenneth Pierce M.S., Stephen Ivy, Ph.D., Dan Young, D.Min., and Stan Jones, M.Div. We thank Larry VandeCreek, D.Min. for his help with the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chaplaincy and Pastoral Education, Clarian Health Partners, I-65 at 21st Street, P.O. Box 1367, Indianapolis, IN, 46206-1367, USA

    Paul S. Bay

  2. CORVAS Cardiothoracic & Vascular Solutions, Clarian Health Partners, I-65 at 21st Street, P.O. Box 1367, Indianapolis, IN, 46206-1367, USA

    Daniel Beckman

  3. The Care Group, Clarian Health Partners, I-65 at 21st Street, P.O. Box 1367, Indianapolis, IN, 46206-1367, USA

    James Trippi

  4. Methodist Research Institute, Clarian Health Partners , I-65 at 21st Street, P.O. Box 1367, Indianapolis, IN, 46206-1367, USA

    Colin Terry

  5. School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, USA

    Richard Gunderman

Authors
  1. Paul S. Bay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Daniel Beckman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. James Trippi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Richard Gunderman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Colin Terry
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul S. Bay.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bay, P.S., Beckman, D., Trippi, J. et al. The Effect of Pastoral Care Services on Anxiety, Depression, Hope, Religious Coping, and Religious Problem Solving Styles: A Randomized Controlled Study. J Relig Health 47, 57–69 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-007-9131-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-007-9131-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation