Spiritually and Religiously Integrated Group Psychotherapy: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

We systematically reviewed the research literature on spiritually and religiously integrated group psychotherapy to answer the following three questions: first, how are spirituality and religiosity defined; second, how are spiritual and religious factors characterized and integrated into group psychotherapy; and, third, what is the outcome of the group psychotherapies? We searched in two databases: PsycINFO and PubMed. Inclusion and exclusion criteria and checklists from standardized assessment tools were applied to the research literature. Qualitative and quantitative papers were included. In total, 8 articles were considered eligible for the review. Findings from the evaluation suggested that the concepts of spirituality and religiosity were poorly conceptualized and the way in which spiritual and religious factors were integrated into such group psychotherapies, which distinguished it from other types of group psychotherapies, was not fully conceptualized or understood either. However, clear and delimited conceptualization of spiritual and religious factors is crucial in order to be able to conclude the direct influences of spiritual or religious factors on outcomes. Implications for spiritually or religiously integrated group psychotherapy and conducting research in this field are propounded.

Existential group practice run by mental healthcare chaplains in Norway: a nationwide cross-sectional study

“…The use of a narrative therapeutic strategy in these groups seemed, however, to be distinct to this existential psychodynamic group approach. The narrative existential group approach aimed to reach existential and spiritual needs in line with the S/R tradition (Viftrup et al, 2013;Wade et al, 2014), however, addressing a broader scope than the S/R tradition. The therapeutic strategies of these groups were using philosophical themes, making narratives and making use of religious rituals, which deviates from the S/R tradition (Viftrup et al, 2013;Wade et al, 2014).…”

“…The narrative existential group approach aimed to reach existential and spiritual needs in line with the S/R tradition (Viftrup et al, 2013;Wade et al, 2014), however, addressing a broader scope than the S/R tradition. The therapeutic strategies of these groups were using philosophical themes, making narratives and making use of religious rituals, which deviates from the S/R tradition (Viftrup et al, 2013;Wade et al, 2014). For that reason, narrative existential groups are perhaps better mirrored with the school of meaning and logos therapies (Frankl, 1986), which aim at addressing meaning and purpose in life and the use of Socratic dialogue as a therapeutic strategy.…”

“…In a recent systematic review addressing group psychotherapy integrating S/R, Viftrup, Hvidt, and Buus (2013) reported that participation in S/R groups seemed to strengthening participants' motivation to take part in psychotherapy. These S/R groups were, however, poorly conceptualized.…”

Critique of the Religion and Spirituality Discourse in Family Articles

“…The fields of psychology and medicine also have focused on the relationship between religion and spirituality and physical and mental health (Tartaro, Luecken, & Gunn, 2005). Increasingly, studies suggest that spiritual and religious variables are associated with improved health (Viftrup, Hvidt, & Buus, 2013). There also has been a focus on the role of spirituality in the workplace, with researchers suggesting that organizational spirituality is positively related to job satisfaction and identification with the organization (Kolodinsky, Giacalone, & Jurkiewicz, 2008).…”

Religious Transformation Among Danish Pentecostals Following Personal Crisis and Group Psychotherapy: A Qualitative Study

“…Until now, however, most empirical studies on religiously integrated psychotherapies have evaluated the effectiveness of the complete intervention and the specific religious factors in religiously integrated psychotherapies, which separate them from other types of psychotherapy without a religious element, are most often vaguely defined and described (Cornish & Wade, 2010). A recent systematic literature review on spiritually and religiously integrated group psychotherapy propounded that clear and delimited conceptualizations of the spiritual or religious factors would form the best basis for spiritually and religiously integrated group psychotherapies (Viftrup, Hvidt, & Buus, 2013).…”