Health Locus of Control and Helpfulness of Prayer in Preoperative Cardiac Surgery Patients

Health Locus of Control and Helpfulness of Prayer in Preoperative Cardiac Surgery Patients. Gaining knowledge about the individuals use of prayer as a coping mechanism in dealing with stressful situations can facilitate incorporating support of this mechanism into a plan of care for the patient. Prayer is the tool of expression of the spiritual aspect of the individual, and the need to acknowledge the spiritual aspect is well supported in nursing literature. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between health locus of control and helpfulness of prayer as a direct action coping mechanism in preoperative cardiac surgery patients. Findings suggest prayer is perceived as a helpful direct action coping mechanism and warrants support by nursing personnel. eg