In recent years, the literature on the relationship between religion and spirituality (R/S) and the health of cancer patients has been flourishing. Although most studies focus on mental health, many study the physical health of these individuals. In order to summarize the findings of these studies, we reviewed the most recent research on this subject using the PubMed and PsycInfo databases. The objective of this systematic review was to recognize the primary R/S variables studied in research on physical health in cancer contexts. We found that spiritual well-being was the most-researched variable in studies of these characteristics, followed by R/S struggles and other variables such as religious coping; religious commitment or practice; or self-rated R/S. In general, R/S seems to have a positive association with the physical health of cancer patients, although the results are quite heterogeneous, and occasionally there are no relationships or the association is negative. Our results may assist in improving interventions that include spirituality in clinical settings as well as the development of holistic approaches, which may have a positive impact on the quality of life and well-being of cancer patients.

Trust in God implies the conviction that God looks after a person’s own interests. The first evidence of a relationship between this construct and people’s psychological and emotional health dates back several centuries. However, the literature on this is limited, especially for people with physical health conditions, such as cancer. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to test the relationships between trust/mistrust in God, social support and emotions in people affected by cancer. The sample consisted of 177 women and men in Spain diagnosed with cancer. The instruments used were the Trust/Mistrust in God Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were performed to compare several explanatory models for the dependent variables: positive and negative emotions. The results show significant relationships between all variables. It was observed that, when trust/mistrust in God is included in the model, only mistrust in God predicts both types of emotions. In addition, both social support and some sociodemographic variables help to predict the dependent variables. This study shows that valuing the religiosity and spirituality of oncology patients in healthcare settings can have a significant positive impact on the health of these individuals. Moreover, it represents an important approach to the study of trust/mistrust in God in the context of a traditionally Catholic country.

Despite the significant influence of collective violence on the health status of its victims, there are still many gaps in our understanding of the nature of the functional limitations this violence produces and its impact on victims' wellbeing and quality of life. The ISAVIC study was carried out in the autonomous region of the Basque Country from 2005-2008 to estimate the effects of collective violence on health. The assessment included victims' perceptions of these sequelae and their impact on health. A purposive sample of 36 primary victims was selected through contact networks and mediators. The victims' perceptions were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, which were later analyzed according to the study's conceptual framework. The victims' testimony suggests that they were profoundly traumatized by the collective violence experienced, which was often not yet completely overcome and significantly impaired their quality of life. The main functional, physical, emotional and social limitations described by the victims were identified. The qualitative results of this study are coherent with those obtained through the parametric phase of the ISAVIC study and provide a more complete overview of the nature of the sequelae of collective violence and its impact on quality of life. These results should be verified in larger studies and the influence of the social context on the relationship between collective violence and health should be analyzed in greater depth.

This paper offers explanations of the meanings that push children to illegally armed groups in Colombia from the testimony of 21 demobilized young girls from the region of Antioquia (Colombia). The girls’ answers are placed on a typology of explanations drawn from academic reports, and compared to three samples of attributions of students, teachers and policemen of their same region. The visions “idealizing” and “criminalizing” mobilization are practically marginal in all samples. The dominant vision among the girls is called “self-assertive”. From the rest of the samples, as well as for the experts, the majority of the views are “victimizing”.

ResumenObjetivosLa investigación epidemiológica de la violencia colectiva (con fines políticos, sociales o económicos) es muy incipiente a pesar de su creciente reconocimiento como un problema de salud pública. Este artículo describe el modelo conceptual y el diseño de una de las primeras investigaciones realizadas en España para medir el Impacto en la SAlud de la VIolencia Colectiva (estudio ISAVIC).MétodosA partir de una amplia revisión no sistemática de la literatura se describe el alcance global de dicho impacto y se propone un marco teórico que describe la relación. La revisión identifica las posibles consecuencias de la violencia colectiva en las dimensiones física, emocional y social de la salud. El modelo sirve de base para establecer el diseño del estudio y sus instrumentos de medida.ResultadosSe describe el conjunto de posibles secuelas producidas por la violencia colectiva y se propone un marco relacional y temporal. El modelo considera el efecto en víctimas primarias y secundarias, y su relación con el medio social. Se diseña un estudio empírico con una metodología mixta para estimar la magnitud y la naturaleza de la posible afectación de la salud por la violencia colectiva.ConclusionesEl estudio ISAVIC señala la coherencia del modelo diseñado, apoyando que la violencia colectiva puede afectar a las principales dimensiones de la salud en relación con el marco social donde opera. Es necesario validar estos resultados con nuevos estudios.AbstractObjectivesEpidemiologic research on collective violence (violence exerted by and within groups in pursuit of political, social or economic goals) is very scarce despite its growing recognition as a major public health issue. This paper describes the conceptual model and design of one of the first research studies conducted in Spain aiming to assess the impact of collective violence in the health status of its victims (study known as ISAVIC, based on its Spanish title Impacto en la SAlud de la VIolencia Colectiva).Methods: Starting with a comprehensive but non-systematic review of the literature, the authors describe the sequelae likely produced by collective violence and propose a conceptual model to explain the nature of the relationships between collective violence and health status. The conceptual model informed the ISAVIC study design and its measurement instruments.ResultsThe possible sequelae of collective violence, in the physical, emotional and social dimensions of health, are described. Also, the review distinguishes the likely impact in primary and secondary victims, as well as the interplay with the social environment. The mixed methodological design of the ISAVIC study supports the coherence of the conceptual model described.ConclusionsThe ISAVIC study suggests that collective violence may affect the main dimensions of the health status of its victims, in intimate relation to the societal factors where it operates. It is necessary to validate these results with new studies