Spiritual Well-Being of People with Psychiatric Disabilities: The Role of Religious Attendance, Social Network Size and Sense of Control

Abstract

The influence of psychiatric symptoms, religious attendance, social network size, and sense of control on spiritual well-being were investigated in a cross-sectional study using the Spirituality Index of Well-being. Forty-seven participants with psychiatric disabilities from six consumer-run organizations participated. A factor analysis result revealed two domains of spiritual well-being for people with psychiatric disabilities: self-perceptions regarding making sense of life (developing life purpose) and self-efficacy in obtaining life goals. Based on our regression analyses, religious attendance, expanding social network size, and having a sense of control over important areas of life may enhance spiritual well-being in spite of severity of psychiatric symptoms. Supporting mental health consumers who hope to be fully integrated into social and spiritual communities is important. Given the increased attention to consumers' internal spiritual experiences in a recovery process, this study adds to knowledge about spirituality in the mental health field.

Exploring Six Muslim Teachers’ Coping Strategies in Overcoming Mental Illness

“…Badri advocated engaging in regulars prayers to keep a strong self in facing trials and tribulations. Furthermore, the above findings also support Fukui, Starnino and Nelson-Becker (2012) who revealed that individuals with mental illnesses were likely to recognize their desire for spirituality and spiritual engagement when attempting to make sense of life within the social restrictions that surrounded their illnesses. They also found that religious attendance, large social networks and a sense of control were three important aspects for spiritual wellbeing.…”

“…Spirituality can be an important factor to those with psychiatric disabilities. Fukui, Starnino and Nelson-Becker (2012) revealed that people with mental illness tend to recognize their desire for spiritual well-being when they tried to make sense of life within the social restrictions that might surround their illness. Regardless of the severity of psychiatric symptoms, religious attendance, large social networks and sense of control are three important aspects for spiritual well-being.…”

The relationship between elementary school principals’ transformational leadership and spiritual well-being

“…Fukui et al (2012) define spiritual well-being as referring to one's sense of connection with (1) those aspects of life that provide a sense of purpose and meaning (outcome); and (2) belief in one's ability to achieve life goals in the face of challenges (process). Jackson and Monteux (2003) define spiritual well-being as a sense of good health about oneself as a human being and as a unique individual.…”

Strategies for Incorporating Spirituality as Part of Recovery-Oriented Practice: Highlighting the Voices of those with a Lived Experience

“…In a nursing study that consisted of focus group interviews with 65 people diagnosed with SMI and 27 family members, consumer participants mentioned fear of abandonment and/or rejection by their spiritual community as primary issues following psychiatric hospitalization (Moller, 1999). Scholars recommend that practitioners provide opportunities for clients to discuss both positive and negative experiences related to involvement in spiritual communities (Fukui et al, 2012;Sullivan, 2009).…”