Client Attitudes toward Integrating Religion and Spirituality in Mental Health Treatment: Scale Development and Client Responses

Abstract

This article describes the development, validation, and responses to the first administration of the Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale-Client Attitudes (RSIPAS-CA). A total of 1,047 U.S. adults responded to an online survey administered by Qualtrics, which included the RSIPAS-CA for secondary analysis. Of those, 245 indicated they were either current or former mental health clients and thus were asked to complete a 10-item instrument assessing clients' attitudes toward integrating religion and spirituality (RS) in mental health treatment. A confirmatory factor analysis showed the current sample's data approached an adequate fit, and the instrument's reliability was considered very good (α = .89). Descriptive analyses indicated that clients have mixed views regarding who should initiate the discussion of RS, but a majority responded favorably toward integrating RS in practice. The article ends with a general comparison between client responses to the current survey and clinical social workers' responses to the practitioners' RSIPAS. It also discusses implications for research based on the scale development and implications for practice and education, based on client preferences.

Novel online training program improves spiritual competencies in mental health care.

“…Therapists need to be aware of and skillful in dealing with both strengths and struggles related to RS in the context of treatment. In addition, many clients want their therapists to bring up RS issues and desire spiritually sensitive care (Bannister, Park, Taylor, & Bauerle, 2015; Leitz & Hodge, 2013; Oxhandler, Ellor, & Stanford, 2018; Post, Wade, & Cornish, 2014; Rose, Westefeld, & Ansley, 2001; Stanley et al, 2011). Thus, the existing educational deficit in spiritual competency may have negative consequences for mental health care.…”

Clinical helping professionals’ perceived support, barriers, and training to integrate clients’ religion/spirituality in practice.

“…Regardless of religious denomination, a majority (77%) of Americans consider religion to be at least somewhat important in their lives (Pew Research Center, 2015) and can be an important component worth considering to promote holistic and long-lasting mental health treatment outcomes (Pearce, 2016). Many clients prefer their religion/spirituality (RS) be included within mental health treatment (Harris, Randolph, & Gordon, 2016; Koenig, 2005; Oxhandler, Ellor, & Stanford, 2018), and recent research indicates the assessment and integration of clients’ RS can enhance outcomes across a spectrum of both physical and mental health issues (Koenig, King, & Carson, 2012; Koenig, McCullough, & Larson, 2001). The code of ethics upheld by various professions engaging in mental health treatment also consider RS as significant factors of client diversity (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy [AAMFT], 2012; American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014; American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015; American Psychological Association [APA], 2010; National Association of Social Workers [NASW], 2017).…”

Consideraciones sobre la Espiritualidad y la Religión como Recursos de Afrontamiento durante la Pandemia del COVID-19

“…Con relación a las actitudes de los pacientes/clientes hacia la integración de la E/R durante el tratamiento, se ha identificado que la mayoría de los estudios sugieren que los pacientes/clientes apoyan la discusión de la E/R durante el tratamiento de salud mental, particularmente entre aquellos quienes se consideran religiosos o espirituales (Harris et al, 2016). Oxhandler et al (2018) exploraron las actitudes hacia la integración de la religión y la espiritualidad en el tratamiento de salud mental en 1,047 adultos norteamericanos. Los resultados revelaron que la mayoría de los participantes mostraron una actitud favorable hacia la integración de la espiritualidad y religión en la psicoterapia.…”