Religious Coping Methods among Cancer Patients in Three Islamic Countries: A Comparative Perspective

Abstract

The present article aimed to compare the use of religious coping methods among cancer patients in three Islamic countries from a sociocultural perspective. The article is based on an international study on meaning-making coping in ten countries, among others Malaysia, Iran and Turkey. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted among cancer patients in Malaysia (29), Iran (27) and Turkey (25). The results of the comparison show certain differences in use of religious coping methods between informants in these three countries despite Islam being the dominant religion in all contexts. The findings of this comparative study show the important role culture plays in coping.