Religion and Spirituality in Couple and Family Relations

Abstract

Religion and spirituality can be vital resources to strengthen relationships, healing, and resilience. Spiritual distress can increase suffering and block recovery. Yet the spiritual dimension of human experience has been neglected in mental health and healthcare training and services. This chapter addresses the significant influence of religion and spirituality for couples and families over the family life cycle and in light of cultural and religious diversity. Research on spiritual influences in suffering, healing, and resilience is noted. Clinical guidelines are offered to facilitate a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach to family psychology practice.

Children’s spirituality: Conceptual understanding of developmental transformation.

“…We maintain that spirituality is a fundamental dimension of human experience (Jones et al, 1986; Walsh, 1999). Therefore, clinicians should routinely assess the role of spirituality in all clients’ lives, general functioning, and presenting concerns (Hathaway, 2003).…”

“…We argue that spirituality unfolds on a distinct developmental platform whereby childhood experiences of wonder, awe, and vivid transpersonal imagery are the backdrop to human growth (Schlarb, 2007; Taggart, 2001; Walsh, 1999). Previous scholars provided important cognitive understandings of the development of faith, religion, and spirituality in children and adolescents modeled on a stage-like progression based on Piagetian developmental-cognitive sequencing (Elkind, 1961, 1963; Fowler, 1991, 2001; Fowler & Dell, 2004; Genia, 1995; Goldman, 1964; Oser, 1991; Oser & Scarlett, 1991; Piaget, 1968; Washburn, 1995).…”

“…An additional premise in our emerging theory is the awareness of unseen forces, such as a sacred and divine presence, that are a cornerstone to human experience (Helminiak, 2008; Jones, Wainwright, & Yarnolds, 1986; Walsh, 1999). This cornerstone is highlighted by a child’s nonsocialized awareness of a reality greater than oneself (Coles, 1990).…”

Mestizo spirituality: Toward an integrated approach to psychotherapy for Latina/os.

“…In recent years, spirituality has been viewed as a prominent theme in clinical practice (Richards & Bergin, 2000; Shafranske, 1996; Walsh, 1999). While religion is often described as an organized belief system that characteristically includes shared, institutionalized moral values about God or a higher power and involvement in a faith community, spirituality is a more difficult construct to define given the typically observed unique meaning for individuals and cultural groups (Fukuyama & Sevig, 1999; Saint-Laurent, 2000).…”

“…While religion is often described as an organized belief system that characteristically includes shared, institutionalized moral values about God or a higher power and involvement in a faith community, spirituality is a more difficult construct to define given the typically observed unique meaning for individuals and cultural groups (Fukuyama & Sevig, 1999; Saint-Laurent, 2000). Walsh (1999) described spirituality as the primary energy center at which the transcendent or divine dimension of existence is encountered, and as a set of beliefs and practices relative to transformation of self. A related definition is provided by Armstrong (1994) who views this construct as the presence of a higher power that affects the way in which one operates in the world.…”