Qualitative Research in Behavioral Sciences

Qualitative Research in Behavioral Sciences

Exploring the Spiritual Lived Experience of Men with Colon Cancer

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Haleh nikfarjam haghighi tehrani 1
zahra bahadori 2
zahra ranaee 3
eshagh shirinkam 4
1 M.A. in Social Work, Department of Social Work, Arman Razavi Institute of Higher Education, Mashhsd, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Counseling, Arman Razavi Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Counseling, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
10.22077/qrbs.2026.10648.1147
Abstract
Background: Colon cancer, as a complex disease, severely affects the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of patients. It is the third most common cancer globally. Understanding the spiritual experiences of these patients can play a vital role in improving multi-dimensional and human-centered care.
Aim: The present study aimed to explore the spiritual lived experience of men diagnosed with colon cancer.
Method: The present study was a qualitative research designed with an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach. Research participants consisted of all men diagnosed with colon cancer who referred to Omid Hospital in Mashhad during the March, April, and May 2025 (approximately 60 individuals). Purposive sampling was conducted using the snowball technique until Data saturation was achieved; saturation was reached after interviews with 9 participants. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Each interview lasted between 45 and 90 minutes and focused on the lived spiritual experience since the diagnosis of the disease. Data analysis was performed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) method. To enhance the credibility of the findings, strategies including researcher’s reflexive journaling, independent coding by two analysts with calculation of inter-coder agreement, and member checking with participants were employed.
Results: Analysis of the participants' lived experiences led to the identification of the "essence of spiritual experience" within four core themes: Individual and Divine Spirituality (experiencing God's presence as an infinite source of power), Individual and Self-Centered Spirituality (encountering a new meaning of life in the shadow of illness), Social Spirituality and Family Support (experiencing spirituality within the context of human relationships), and Existential and Naturalistic Spirituality (a sense of oneness with the universe).
Conclusions: The findings demonstrated that spiritual experience in men with colon cancer is not a static phenomenon but a dynamic process of "re-meaning life" in the face of crisis. By redefining their relationship with the sources of power, these patients transform physical suffering into an opportunity for existential growth. Health policymakers can utilize these helping to reconstruct the patient's semantic world rather than focusing solely on physical treatment.
Keywords
spiritual needs
colon
cancer
lived experiences
male
omid hospital
Subjects

References

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Bray, F., Laversanne, M., Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Soerjomataram, I., & Jemal, A. (2024). Global cancer statistics 2022: Globocan estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 74(3), 229-263. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21834

Bulkley, J., McMullen, C. K., Hornbrook, M. C., Grant, M., Altschuler, A., Wendel, C. S., & Krouse, R. S. (2013). Spiritual well‐ being in long‐ term colorectal cancer survivors with ostomies. Psycho‐Oncology, 22(11), 2513-2521. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3318

Cheraghi, M., Dindoost, M., & Rangamiztoosi, L. (2020). Daughters’ lived experience of mother's cancer. Rooyesh, 9(9), 147-156. https://frooyesh.ir/article-1-2153-en.html

Chio, C. C., Shih, F. J., Chiou, J. F., Lin, H. W., Hsiao, F. H., & Chen, Y. T. (2008). The lived experiences of spiritual suffering and the healing process among taiwanese patients with terminal cancer. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(6), 735-743. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2006.01854.x

Davari, S., Boogar, I. R., Talepasand, S., & Evazi, M. R. (2022). The effect of religious–spiritual psychotherapy on illness perception and inner strength among patients with breast cancer in Iran. Journal of Religion and Health, 61(6), 4302-4319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01594-6

Ebrahimipour, H., Vejdani, M., Taghipour, A., Heidarabadi, A. B., & Molavi, Y. (2015). Spiritual health in cancer patients at omid hospital affiliated with mashhad university of medical sciences-2012. Journal of Research on Religion & Health, 1(2), 3-9. https://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/jrrh/article/view/8011

Emami, S. M., Fatemi, A. M., Farajzadegan, Z., & Movahed Abthahi, S. M. (2005). Epidemiology of colorectal cancer in isfahan province. Govaresh (Journal of Gastroenterology), 10(3), 134-139. http://govaresh.org/index.php/dd/article/view/876/1103

Esmaeili, R., Mohammadi, M., Madadi, M., & Fani, M. (2022). Correlation of religious coping strategy with quality of life of the elderly with colorectal cancer referred to colorectal clinics of shahid beheshti university of medical sciences. Advances in Nursing & Midwifery, 31(1), 22-28. https://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/anm/article/view/38233

Firouzbakht, M., Hajian Tilaki, K., & Moslemi, D. (2020). Analysis of quality of life in breast cancer survivors using structural equation modelling: The role of spirituality, social support and psychological well- being. International Health, 12(4), 354-363. https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihz108

Fisher, J. (2011). The four domains model: Connecting spirituality, health and well-being. Religions, 2(1), 17-28. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel2010017

Fitch, M. I., & Bartlett, R. (2019). Patient perspectives about spirituality and spiritual care. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 6(2), 111-121. https://apjon.org/article/S2347-5625(21)00271-7/fulltext

Ghaderi, A., & Mohammadi, M. (2023). Definition of spiritual health. Parastaran- e Javan Publications. https://www.gisoom.com/book/44836890/

Habibi Asgarabad, M., Momeni Far, S., & Abbasi, M. (2020). Explanation of the spiritual experiences of breast cancer patients: A hermeneutic phenomenological study. Health, Spirituality and Medical Ethics, 7(2), 9-19. https://doi.org/10.29252/jhsme.7.2.9

Hosseini, S., Pournaghash Tehrani, S. S., & Gholamali Lavasani, M. (2023). Facing death: A phenomenological study on cancer patients’ experienced existential anxieties. Journal of Psychological Science, 22(127), 1319-1334. https://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-1917-en.html

Hosseinnezhad Hallaji, S., & Alivandi Vafa, M. (2025). A phenomenological study of pregnancy anxiety among pregnant women in tabriz. Qualitative Research in Behavioral Sciences (QRBS), 4(1), 109-122. https://qrbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3843.html?lang=en

Howard, A. H., Roberts, M., Mitchell, T., & Wilke, N. G. (2023). The relationship between spirituality and resilience and well- being: A study of 529 care leavers from 11 nations. Adversity and Resilience Science, 4(2), 177-190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42844-023-00088-y

Khodapanahi, M., Saleh Sedghpoor, B., Asghari, A., Harirchi, I., & Katibaei, J. (2010). The structural relationships between social support and hope in patients with cancer. Journal of Psychology, 14, 284-298. https://ensani.ir/fa/article/229405/

Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications. ISRN Psychiatry, 2012, 278730. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/278730

Mohammadi, M., Esmaeili, R., & Fani, M. (2019). Review of the correlation between religion coping strategy and quality of life in intestine cancer in patients with ostomy. Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research, 9(S2). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337199192

Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. Guilford Press. https://www.Pargament/p/book/9781572306646

Park, C. L., & Folkman, S. (1997). Meaning in the context of stress and coping. Review of General Psychology, 1(2), 115-144. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.1.2.115

Paloutzian, R. F., & Ellison, C. W. (1982). Loneliness, spiritual well- being and the quality of life. Loneliness: A sourcebook of current theory, research and therapy, John Wiley & Sons. https://books.google.com/books/about/Loneliness.html?id=E_NGAAAAMAAJ

Puchalski, C., Ferrell, B., Virani, R., Otis Green, S., Baird, P., Bull, J., ... & Sulmasy, D. (2009). Improving the quality of spiritual care as a dimension of palliative care: the report of the consensus conference. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 12(10), 885-904.‏ https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2009.0142

Rashed, A., Salehi, K., Keshavarz Afshar, H., & Jahanbakhshi, Z. (2025). Development of loneliness in young and midlife women: A systematic review of the associated factors. Qualitative Research in Behavioral Sciences (QRBS), 4(1), 161-178. https://qrbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3601.html

Rohde, G., Kersten, C., Vistad, I., & Mesel, T. (2017). Spiritual well-being in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving noncurative chemotherapy: A qualitative study. Cancer Nursing, 40(3), 209-216. https://doi.org/10.1097/ncc.0000000000000385

Roushan, H. (2024). Salamati ma’navi: Ashna’i ba technichha va maharatha-ye ma’navi [Spiritual health: An introduction to spiritual techniques and skills] (S. A. Aghaei, Ed.; 4th ed.). Timaas (Original work published in Persian, 1402 AH). https://ketab.ir/Book/E3691038-3B7D-4CA1-9456-8398248380D5

Salsman, J. M., Yost, K. J., West, D. W., & Cella, D. (2010). Spiritual well- being and health- related quality of life in colorectal cancer: A multi- site examination of the role of personal meaning. Supportive Care in Cancer, 19(6), 757-764. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0871-4

Smith, J. A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research. Sage Publications. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221670349

Tabriz, E. R., Ramezani, M., Heydari, A., & Aledavood, S. A. (2021). Health- promoting lifestyle in colorectal cancer survivors: A qualitative study on the experiences and perspectives of colorectal cancer survivors and healthcare providers. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 8(6), 696-710. https://apjon.org/article/S2347-5625(21)00101-3/fulltext

Tavakol, N., Tavakol, M., & Naeimi Marandi, F. (2024). Finding meaning in going through cancer: Exploring the spiritual experiences of women with breast cancer; a qualitative content analysis study. Pars Journal of Medical Sciences, 22(1), 12-22. https://jmj.jums.ac.ir/article_714415_en.html

Taylor, J. D. (2023). Spiritual disciplines: Their effect on the overall spiritual health of pastors. Asbury Theological Seminary. https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/1610/

World Health Organization. (2018). Cancer: Key facts. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer

References
Bavil, D. A., & Dolatian, M. (2018). A survey on social support for breast cancer in Iran: A review study. Clinical Excellence, 7(4), 48-56. https://ce.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-377-en.html
Bray, F., Laversanne, M., Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Soerjomataram, I., & Jemal, A. (2024). Global cancer statistics 2022: Globocan estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 74(3), 229-263. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21834
Bulkley, J., McMullen, C. K., Hornbrook, M. C., Grant, M., Altschuler, A., Wendel, C. S., & Krouse, R. S. (2013). Spiritual well‐ being in long‐ term colorectal cancer survivors with ostomies. Psycho‐Oncology, 22(11), 2513-2521. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3318
Cheraghi, M., Dindoost, M., & Rangamiztoosi, L. (2020). Daughters’ lived experience of mother's cancer. Rooyesh, 9(9), 147-156. https://frooyesh.ir/article-1-2153-en.html
Chio, C. C., Shih, F. J., Chiou, J. F., Lin, H. W., Hsiao, F. H., & Chen, Y. T. (2008). The lived experiences of spiritual suffering and the healing process among taiwanese patients with terminal cancer. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(6), 735-743. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2006.01854.x
Davari, S., Boogar, I. R., Talepasand, S., & Evazi, M. R. (2022). The effect of religious–spiritual psychotherapy on illness perception and inner strength among patients with breast cancer in Iran. Journal of Religion and Health, 61(6), 4302-4319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01594-6
Ebrahimipour, H., Vejdani, M., Taghipour, A., Heidarabadi, A. B., & Molavi, Y. (2015). Spiritual health in cancer patients at omid hospital affiliated with mashhad university of medical sciences-2012. Journal of Research on Religion & Health, 1(2), 3-9. https://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/jrrh/article/view/8011
Emami, S. M., Fatemi, A. M., Farajzadegan, Z., & Movahed Abthahi, S. M. (2005). Epidemiology of colorectal cancer in isfahan province. Govaresh (Journal of Gastroenterology), 10(3), 134-139. http://govaresh.org/index.php/dd/article/view/876/1103
Esmaeili, R., Mohammadi, M., Madadi, M., & Fani, M. (2022). Correlation of religious coping strategy with quality of life of the elderly with colorectal cancer referred to colorectal clinics of shahid beheshti university of medical sciences. Advances in Nursing & Midwifery, 31(1), 22-28. https://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/anm/article/view/38233
Firouzbakht, M., Hajian Tilaki, K., & Moslemi, D. (2020). Analysis of quality of life in breast cancer survivors using structural equation modelling: The role of spirituality, social support and psychological well- being. International Health, 12(4), 354-363. https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihz108
Fisher, J. (2011). The four domains model: Connecting spirituality, health and well-being. Religions, 2(1), 17-28. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel2010017
Fitch, M. I., & Bartlett, R. (2019). Patient perspectives about spirituality and spiritual care. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 6(2), 111-121. https://apjon.org/article/S2347-5625(21)00271-7/fulltext
Ghaderi, A., & Mohammadi, M. (2023). Definition of spiritual health. Parastaran- e Javan Publications. https://www.gisoom.com/book/44836890/
Habibi Asgarabad, M., Momeni Far, S., & Abbasi, M. (2020). Explanation of the spiritual experiences of breast cancer patients: A hermeneutic phenomenological study. Health, Spirituality and Medical Ethics, 7(2), 9-19. https://doi.org/10.29252/jhsme.7.2.9
Hosseini, S., Pournaghash Tehrani, S. S., & Gholamali Lavasani, M. (2023). Facing death: A phenomenological study on cancer patients’ experienced existential anxieties. Journal of Psychological Science, 22(127), 1319-1334. https://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-1917-en.html
Hosseinnezhad Hallaji, S., & Alivandi Vafa, M. (2025). A phenomenological study of pregnancy anxiety among pregnant women in tabriz. Qualitative Research in Behavioral Sciences (QRBS), 4(1), 109-122. https://qrbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3843.html?lang=en
Howard, A. H., Roberts, M., Mitchell, T., & Wilke, N. G. (2023). The relationship between spirituality and resilience and well- being: A study of 529 care leavers from 11 nations. Adversity and Resilience Science, 4(2), 177-190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42844-023-00088-y
Khodapanahi, M., Saleh Sedghpoor, B., Asghari, A., Harirchi, I., & Katibaei, J. (2010). The structural relationships between social support and hope in patients with cancer. Journal of Psychology, 14, 284-298. https://ensani.ir/fa/article/229405/
Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications. ISRN Psychiatry, 2012, 278730. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/278730
Mohammadi, M., Esmaeili, R., & Fani, M. (2019). Review of the correlation between religion coping strategy and quality of life in intestine cancer in patients with ostomy. Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research, 9(S2). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337199192
Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. Guilford Press. https://www.Pargament/p/book/9781572306646
Park, C. L., & Folkman, S. (1997). Meaning in the context of stress and coping. Review of General Psychology, 1(2), 115-144. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.1.2.115
Paloutzian, R. F., & Ellison, C. W. (1982). Loneliness, spiritual well- being and the quality of life. Loneliness: A sourcebook of current theory, research and therapy, John Wiley & Sons. https://books.google.com/books/about/Loneliness.html?id=E_NGAAAAMAAJ
Puchalski, C., Ferrell, B., Virani, R., Otis Green, S., Baird, P., Bull, J., ... & Sulmasy, D. (2009). Improving the quality of spiritual care as a dimension of palliative care: the report of the consensus conference. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 12(10), 885-904.‏ https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2009.0142
Rashed, A., Salehi, K., Keshavarz Afshar, H., & Jahanbakhshi, Z. (2025). Development of loneliness in young and midlife women: A systematic review of the associated factors. Qualitative Research in Behavioral Sciences (QRBS), 4(1), 161-178. https://qrbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3601.html
Rohde, G., Kersten, C., Vistad, I., & Mesel, T. (2017). Spiritual well-being in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving noncurative chemotherapy: A qualitative study. Cancer Nursing, 40(3), 209-216. https://doi.org/10.1097/ncc.0000000000000385
Roushan, H. (2024). Salamati ma’navi: Ashna’i ba technichha va maharatha-ye ma’navi [Spiritual health: An introduction to spiritual techniques and skills] (S. A. Aghaei, Ed.; 4th ed.). Timaas (Original work published in Persian, 1402 AH). https://ketab.ir/Book/E3691038-3B7D-4CA1-9456-8398248380D5
Salsman, J. M., Yost, K. J., West, D. W., & Cella, D. (2010). Spiritual well- being and health- related quality of life in colorectal cancer: A multi- site examination of the role of personal meaning. Supportive Care in Cancer, 19(6), 757-764. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0871-4
Smith, J. A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research. Sage Publications. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221670349
Tabriz, E. R., Ramezani, M., Heydari, A., & Aledavood, S. A. (2021). Health- promoting lifestyle in colorectal cancer survivors: A qualitative study on the experiences and perspectives of colorectal cancer survivors and healthcare providers. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 8(6), 696-710. https://apjon.org/article/S2347-5625(21)00101-3/fulltext
Tavakol, N., Tavakol, M., & Naeimi Marandi, F. (2024). Finding meaning in going through cancer: Exploring the spiritual experiences of women with breast cancer; a qualitative content analysis study. Pars Journal of Medical Sciences, 22(1), 12-22. https://jmj.jums.ac.ir/article_714415_en.html
Taylor, J. D. (2023). Spiritual disciplines: Their effect on the overall spiritual health of pastors. Asbury Theological Seminary. https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/1610/
World Health Organization. (2018). Cancer: Key facts. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer

  • Receive Date 10 December 2025
  • Revise Date 26 January 2026
  • Accept Date 19 January 2026