A large body of research has established a relationship
between religion/spirituality and physical and mental health
outcomes (Andrykowski et al. 1996, Koenig et al. 2001). On
the other hand, results of several studies of medically-ill
patients show a strong inverse relation between spiritual wellbeing
with existential concerns (Fehring et al. 1997, Nelson
et al. 2002). When individuals are confronted with an out-ofcontrol
situation such as cancer diagnosis, they strive to gain
control. When control is not within their power, they look for
a greater power. Faith brings people into contact with One
whom they perceive as having control, and therefore, giving