Toward an integration of spirituality and religiousness into the psychosocial dimension of schizophrenia.
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_413F232FA512
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Toward an integration of spirituality and religiousness into the psychosocial dimension of schizophrenia.
Journal
American Journal of Psychiatry
ISSN
0002-953X
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2006
Volume
163
Number
11
Pages
1952-1959
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Spirituality and religiousness have been shown to be highly prevalent among patients with schizophrenia. However, clinicians are rarely aware of the importance of religion and understand little of the value or difficulties it presents to treatment. This study aimed to assess the role of religion as a mediating variable in the process of coping with psychotic illness. METHOD: Semistructured interviews about religious coping were conducted with a sample of 115 outpatients with psychotic illness. RESULTS: For some patients, religion instilled hope, purpose, and meaning in their lives (71%), whereas for others, it induced spiritual despair (14%). Patients also reported that religion lessened (54%) or increased (10%) psychotic and general symptoms. Religion was also reported to increase social integration (28%) or social isolation (3%). It may reduce (33%) or increase (10%) the risk of suicide attempts, reduce (14%) or increase (3%) substance use, and foster adherence to (16%) or be in opposition to (15%) psychiatric treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the clinical significance of religion in the care of patients with schizophrenia. Religion is neither a strictly personal matter nor a strictly cultural one. Spirituality should be integrated into the psychosocial dimension of care. Our results suggest that the complexity of the relationship between religion and illness requires a highly sensitive approach to each unique story.
Keywords
Adaptation, Psychological, Ambulatory Care, Humans, Religion, Religion and Medicine, Schizophrenia/therapy, Schizophrenic Psychology, Spirituality
Pubmed
Create date
17/12/2008 17:11
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:41