Spirituality and Religious Practices Among Outpatients With Schizophrenia and Their Clinicians

Abstract

Religion is an important issue for patients with schizophrenia, and it is often not related to the content of their delusions. Clinicians were commonly not aware of their patients' religious involvement, even if they reported feeling comfortable with such an issue.

Spirituality, Coping, and HIV Risk and Prevention in a Sample of Severely Mentally Ill Puerto Rican Women

“…Previous reports indicating delusions or hallucinations with religious content or themes are not uncommon among individuals with psychotic symptoms, regardless of their religious affiliation. 44,[64][65][66] The hallucinations and delusions that our participants experienced sometimes contained religious content and reflected the women_s belief in the struggle between the good and evil forces of the world. One woman experienced frightening visions of demons who implored her to kill her daughters and then to drink Clorox; on other occasions she believed that she had power over the devil and could drink the bleach and then fight him.…”

“…A study of spirituality and religious practices among patients with schizophrenia and their clinicians found that most patients identified religion as an important aspect of their lives, but only slightly more than one-third had so advised their clinicians, and the perceptions of most clinicians regarding the patients_ religious practices were inaccurate. 44 Variations in behavioral norms exist across faiths and among individuals of the same faith. Accordingly, the spiritual components of an HIV prevention intervention must encompass elements of faith that may be common to a wide range of individuals and be sufficiently broad to suggest and allow diversity of belief, including a conceptualization of spirituality that does not require a belief in a higher power.…”

“…79,80 Still others may experience psychotic symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations, that are reflective of their religious beliefs. 44,49,64 Practitioners must have sufficient familiarity with the relevant religious precepts to allow them to distinguish their patients_ religious beliefs and rituals from delusions and compulsions. 81,82 Including a religious history in the initial assessment of individuals beginning counseling or therapy is one strategy to gain this knowledge.…”

“…42 Many Puerto Ricans may practice Catholicism, Santeria, and Espiritismo simultaneously. 43 Spiritual beliefs and/or religion may be important in coping with mental illness, 44,45 particularly for Hispanics. Hispanic Americans have been found twice as likely as Non-Hispanics to seek church assistance to address family problems, depression, worry, and fear.…”

Spirituality Nursing Among Patients with Schizophrenia

“…Agama dalam ar ti luas dapat didefinisikan sebagai spiritualitas (yang berkaitan dengan hubungan transeden berupa makna dari kehidupan) dan religious (perilaku tertentu, social, doktrin) (Huguelet et al, 2006). Akan tetapi masih jarang yang mempertimbangkan bahwa agama memiliki peran yang penting sebagai faktor yang dapat mempengaruhi outcome pasien skizofrenia.…”