Predicting Substance Use from Religiosity/Spirituality in Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis.

Religiosity and spirituality predict lower alcohol and other substance use in community samples of adolescents and adults. However, the roles of religiosity and spirituality in substance use have not been examined in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Adults with CF (n = 123) completed measures of spirituality, religiosity, and substance use. Clinical measures of illness severity (e.g., BMI and  %FEV1) were obtained from participants' medical records. Substance use rates for alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana were lower in this sample than those seen in the general population. Of the measured BMMRS subscales, spiritual experiences and religious commitment were significant predictors of lower alcohol use. These results suggest that personal factors of religiosity and spirituality are more important for substance use in adults with CF than participation in religious service and events or adoption of religious practices.

Religious coping and psychosocial adjustment in patients with cystic fibrosis.

The role of religious coping (RC) in psychosocial outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with cystic fibrosis has not been addressed. Multivariate regressions evaluated the effects of baseline RC on depressive and anxiety symptoms and HRQoL at 3-month follow-up in 123 adult cystic fibrosis patients. Higher positive RC attenuated the effects of perceived stress on greater depressive and anxiety symptoms. Negative RC predicted less vitality and social HRQoL, as well as more digestion symptoms. Positive RC may buffer the impact of stress on patients' psychological distress, whereas negative RC may contribute to lower health-related quality of life.