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Journal of Religion and Health

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01.12.2011 | Original Paper

I’m A Jesus Girl: Coping Stories of Black American Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

verfasst von: Godfrey Gregg

Erschienen in: Journal of Religion and Health | Ausgabe 4/2011

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Abstract

Breast cancer continues to be the most diagnosed cancer for all women, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, in the United States. Incidence rates are 1 in 8 for an American woman being diagnosed. Moreover, statistics indicate that every 13 min an American woman dies from complications related to breast cancer. Despite all the gains made in the area of cancer research, Black American women continue to have a 67% higher mortality rate than their White counterparts. There is no preparation for a diagnosis of breast cancer. Upon hearing the words: you have breast cancer, a woman’s life is forever altered. The woman’s initial reactions of denial and/or anger yield to strategic responses. These responses may strengthen the woman’s resiliency both during and following treatments. Research indicates that Black Americans, specifically Black American women, exhibit greater religiosity/spirituality than do other racial/ethnic groups. In addition, the use of religiosity/spirituality by Black Americans increases during a crisis. This qualitative study examines how religiosity/spirituality was utilized as a coping mechanism by a group of Black American women following their diagnoses of breast cancer.

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Titel: I’m A Jesus Girl: Coping Stories of Black American Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
verfasst von: Godfrey Gregg
Publikationsdatum: 01.12.2011
Verlag: Springer US
Erschienen in: Journal of Religion and Health / Ausgabe 4/2011
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-010-9395-y

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