Spirituality, Religion, and Pediatrics: Intersecting Worlds of Healing

Abstract

Religious practices such as prayer represent the most prevalent complementary and alternative therapies in the United States. However, biomedicine has sometimes viewed faith and related religious worldviews as relevant only when they obstruct implementation of scientifically sound biomedical care. Recent efforts to arrive at a new synthesis raise challenges for pediatricians. This article reviews theories of child faith development, and models of child spirituality from different disciplinary perspectives. It provides sources illustrating how spirituality and religion may inform children's lives; play a part in children's moral formation, socialization, and induction into a sacred worldview; and provide the child with inner resources. It also suggests some of the positive and negative effects of spiritual and religious engagement. Second, this article examines aspects of spirituality and religion that parents may bring to bear in relation to their children's health. Third, this article addresses the spiritual and/or religious identity of the provider. These topics are discussed in the context of cultural competence and the related importance of religious diversity. The authors suggest 1) some approaches for appropriate inclusion of spirituality in clinical practice, 2) challenges for medical education, and 3) areas requiring further research.

Family mode deactivation therapy (FMDT) mediation analysis.

“…Even bodily disease and dysfunction have been shown to improve when all parts of human existence are treated instead of just the physiology or just the behavior. According to Barnes, Plotnikoff, Fox, and Pendleton (2000), the optimum is to treat the mind, body and spirit together.…”

Family mode deactivation therapy (FMDT): A randomized controlled trial for adolescents with complex issues.

“…The family structure has been studied intensively and is directly responsible for our children's emotional, mental and behavioral health. Jean Piaget termed his study cognitive development, Kohlberg researched moral development, and Erickson focused on psychosocial development (Barnes, Plotnikoff, Fox, & Pendleton, 2000); they all centered on the first social environment a child encounters-their family. The family defines individual roles and social expectations (Peterson & Green, 2009).…”

“…Spirituality, faith and religion within the family unit has been linked to lower stress, increase healing and develop positive sense of well-being for everyone (Barnes, Plotnikoff, Fox & Pendleton, 2000). Medical schools around the country have included mind, body and spirit into their medical schools; centering spirituality as a strong medicine (Barnes, et al 2000). These insights and practices suggest that the addition of mindfulness and spiritual exercises in family therapy is promising as tools to raise self-regulation and conscious awareness.…”

“…Family conflict is the most notable risk factor in child psychopathology. Parental styles, mental health and disciplinary and abusive exposure combined form the child coping strategies (Barnes, et al 2000). All environmental factors are linked to child's moral development and socialization into personhood.…”

“…These methodologies have found success in many aspects and applications, but appears to lack the ability to affect the family structure positively or reunite families in a meaningful and sustainable way, especially where young family members present with complex comorbid problems and resistance to treatment. The possible reason, according to Barnes, Plotnikoff, Fox, and Pendleton (2000), is the lack of spirituality within the treatment model. Aspects of spirituality has been proven to decrease stress and increase sense of well-being.…”