The present paper looks at the influence of culture on Turkish cancer patients’
use of meaning-making coping, paying particular attention to religious, spiritual, and
existential coping methods. Data were collected using an interview study (n=25, 18
women, age range 20–71). Individuals were recruited at an oncology center and a psychiatry
clinic in Istanbul. The main focus of the study has been on existential meaningmaking
coping, which is characterized by finding power inside oneself, altruism, family
love, a search for meaning by contemplating philosophical issues, and having a positive
life perspective (shukran—thankfulness). In contrast to findings from similar studies
conducted in other countries (studies included in the same project), in Turkey religious
belief directly determines the coping methods used, including the non-religious methods.