The Moderating Influence of Religiousness/Spirituality on COVID-19 Impact and Change in Psychotherapy

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a global surge in empirical research examining the influence of the pandemic on individuals’ mental health symptoms and well-being. Within this larger literature is a rapidly growing literature on the associations among religiousness/spirituality, COVID-19 impact, symptoms and well-being. Largely absent from this literature is a specific research focus on psychotherapy clients, and the influence of religiousness/spirituality and COVID-19 impact on change during treatment. One prominent theory in the existing literature centers on the notion that religiousness/spirituality is a coping resource for individuals during times of adversity. Yet, existing empirical findings present mixed evidence for the religious/spiritual coping hypothesis. We expanded upon these emerging research trends to examine the influence of religious/spiritual struggles, religious/spiritual commitment, religious/spiritual exploration, and COVID-19 impact ratings on psychotherapy change in a sample of adult clients (N = 185; Mage = 38.06; SD = 15.78; range = 19–81; 61.1% female; 69.7% White). The results of latent trajectory analysis identified three subgroups that differed on initial levels of symptoms and well-being and the nature of change over three time points. The COVID-19 impact ratings predicted change trajectories. As more positive ratings of COVID-19 impact increased, membership in the no change trajectory was more likely relative to the deterioration trajectory at high levels of both religious/spiritual commitment and exploration. The implications emphasize the need for judicious assessment of religiousness/spirituality and COVID-19 impact before integrating religiousness/spirituality into treatment.

A practice‐based study of relational virtues and alliance correspondence in psychodynamic psychotherapy

“…As part of a larger practice‐based program of research on virtues, flourishing, and the effectiveness of psychodynamic treatment (e.g., Choe et al, 2023; Jankowski, Sandage & Crabtree, 2022), data for the current study were collected from psychotherapy clients between fall 2020 and fall 2022. Data were collected from clients receiving outpatient mental health treatment at a psychodynamic training clinic in the northeastern United States.…”

The generative virtues of integrating psychology, religion, and spirituality: A tribute to Everett l. Worthington Jr.

“…Our lab is currently using the RSM to guide psychotherapy research at the Danielsen clinic where clinicians mostly use contemporary relational approaches to longer term psychodynamic psychotherapy. We are exploring RSM questions related to spiritual and religious dynamics in psychotherapy (e.g., Jankowski, Sandage, & Crabtree, 2022), and the basic forms of many of these questions can be found in Ev’s many literature reviews on spirituality and religion in psychotherapy (e.g., Worthington et al, 1996; Worthington & Sandage, 2001). Consistent with his emphasis on quality assessment and feedback, we have also been developing and validating a relational spirituality assessment system through a software platform developed by Sarah Crabtree that provides clinicians with information about clients’ spiritual, religious, and existential perspectives and facilitates their opportunities to dialogue with clients about these issues within treatment when clients desire this engagement.…”