Integrating Religion and Spirituality into Mental Health Care, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Abstract

Abstract:Integrating spirituality into mental health care, psychiatry and psychotherapy is still controversial, albeit a growing body of evidence is showing beneficial effects and a real need for such integration. In this review, past and recent research as well as evidence from the integrative concept of a Swiss clinic is summarized.Religious coping is highly prevalent among patients with psychiatric disorders. Surveys indicate that 70-80% use religious or spiritual beliefs and activities to cope with daily difficulties and frustrations. Religion may help patients to enhance emotional adjustment and to maintain hope, purpose and meaning. Patients emphasize that serving a purpose beyond one's self can make it possible to live with what might otherwise be unbearable.Programs successfully incorporating spirituality into clinical practice are described and discussed. Studies indicate that the outcome of psychotherapy in religious patients can be enhanced by integrating religious elements into the therapy protocol and that this can be successfully done by religious and non-religious therapists alike.

Er det rom for livssynstemaer i dagenspsykisk helsearbeid?

“…I de siste årene har fagfeltet psykisk helse begynt å ta inn impulser fra ulike fag og profesjoner, og nyere studier viser at det har skjedd en holdningsendring fra å diskutere om livssynstema skal inkluderes i terapi til hvordan det kan bli inkludert (14). Det etterlyses flere kvalitative studier som kan gi dypere kunnskap om helsepersonells forståelse av og holdninger til hvordan livssynsspørsmål kan møtes i tverrfaglig praksis (4,14).…”

The Impact of Spiritual Wellbeing and Coping Strategies on Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

“…Spirituality is a determinant of better mental health because it can serve as a source of hope and strength in times of crises (Koenig, McCullough, & Larson, 2001). It also promotes reframing problems, and perseverance in the face of psychosocial stressors (Hefti, 2011). Moreover, Frankl (1964) was of the view that spirituality is associated with meaning in life, and a lack of life meaning is associated with various psychopathologies.…”

“…The stepwise regression analysis showed that out of 13 dimensions of spiritual wellness, only three dimensions (i.e., concept of hereafter, mystery, and meaning) significantly predicted GAD symptoms in negative direction. The mediational analysis showed that active practical and religious coping strategies did not mediate between the relationship of spiritual wellness and symptoms of GAD.Keyword: spiritual wellbeing, coping strategies, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, mediational AnalysisReligion and spirituality are traditional means of coping, as they promote an internal locus of control in stressful situations (Barbarin, 1993;Hefti, 2011). The religious and spiritual activities help to reframe stressful events in a way that motivates the individual intrinsically to deal with life stressors.…”

“…For instance, Barbarin (1993) suggested that, in stressful situations, spirituality enhances resilience and optimism. Similarly, Hefti (2011) was of the view that spirituality increases personal empowerment in the face of stressors with the sense of being secured by God. It was also postulated that spirituality increases reliance on problem-solving strategies (Pargament et al, 1992), a sanguine choice, compared to surrendering to the stressors (Carver, Scheier, & Weintraub, 1989).…”

“…Religion and spirituality are traditional means of coping, as they promote an internal locus of control in stressful situations (Barbarin, 1993;Hefti, 2011). The religious and spiritual activities help to reframe stressful events in a way that motivates the individual intrinsically to deal with life stressors.…”