Integrating Religion and Spirituality into Mental Health Care, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Datos Bibliográficos

ID4313845
AutoresRené Hefti (0000-0002-0671-1108, Ammann (Switzerland), autor de correspondencia)
Año2011
Volumen2
Número4
Páginas611-627
Fecha de publicación2011-11-02
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaReligions (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
EditorialMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel2040611
OpenAlexW1969090037
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas33
Referencias citadas52

Integrating spirituality into mental health care, psychiatry and psychotherapy is still controversial, albeit a growing body of evidence is showing beneficial effects and a real need for such integration. In this review, past and recent research as well as evidence from the integrative concept of a Swiss clinic is summarized. Religious coping is highly prevalent among patients with psychiatric disorders. Surveys indicate that 70-80% use religious or spiritual beliefs and activities to cope with daily difficulties and frustrations. Religion may help patients to enhance emotional adjustment and to maintain hope, purpose and meaning. Patients emphasize that serving a purpose beyond one's self can make it possible to live with what might otherwise be unbearable. Programs successfully incorporating spirituality into clinical practice are described and discussed. Studies indicate that the outcome of psychotherapy in religious patients can be enhanced by integrating religious elements into the therapy protocol and that this can be successfully done by religious and non-religious therapists alike

Alternative medicine · Mental health · Mental health care · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Spirituality · Medicine · Psychology · Religion and Society Interactions · Religion, Society, and Development · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology