JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN ACADEMY OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY, SEPTEMBER 2024 411 Religious Coping as a Mediator between Psychological Well-being and Medication Adherence in Cancer Care Gargi Dhaka and Himangini Rathore Hooja IIS (deemed-to-be) University, Jaipur. Navigating the complex journey of cancer treatment, patients often turn to their spiritual beliefs for comfort and resilience. This study explores the critical interplay between well-being, religious coping, and medical adherence among cancer patients. We surveyed 200 patients aged 18 to 50 admitted in Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Bikaner, utilizing the Brief Religious Coping Scale (RCOPE), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G), and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). Findings revealed that well-being is a significant predictor of adherence to medical regimens, suggesting that greater levels of well- being correlate with improved adherence. Positive religious coping was found to enhance adherence significantly, while negative religious coping posed a substantial barrier. The mediation analysis demonstrated that religious coping mediates the relationship between well-being and adherence, with both positive and negative coping strategies playing crucial roles. These insights underscore the importance of fostering positive religious coping and addressing negative coping strategies. This study highlights the value of integrating spiritual care into cancer treatment plans, promoting holistic healing and improved health outcomes. Future research should explore these dynamics over time and incorporate objective adherence measures to further illuminate this critical pathway to recovery. Keywords: Well-being, Religious coping, Medical adherence, Cancer patients © Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology September 2024, Special Issue, 411-419 Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, significantly impacting patients’ psychological and physical well- being. Managing a cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment often brings immense stress and trauma, affecting patients’ adherence to medical regimens crucial for effective treatment outcomes. In this context, religious coping emerges as a potentially significant factor influencing how patients navigate these challenges. Understanding the mediational role of religious coping between well-being and medical adherence is particularly important in culturally diverse settings like India, where religious and spiritual practices are deeply embedded in the social fabric and daily life. Well-being is a holistic concept that encompasses various aspects of an individual’s life, including physical health, psychological state, emotional resilience, social connectivity, and functional capabilities. It is often defined as the overall quality of an individual’s life. In the context of cancer patients, well-being is particularly critical as it directly impacts their ability to cope with the disease and adhere to treatment protocols. Physical well-being refers to the state of physical health and the absence of illness or pain, which is often compromised due to the side effects of cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. It includes factors like energy levels, pain management, and the ability to carry out daily activities. Social/