Abstract
Numerous commentators have noted a historic ambivalence between religion and psychiatry. However, a growing body of evidence indicates an association between mental health and various religious activities, both private and public. As such, there are growing calls for greater religious sensitivity among mental health clinicians, to help unlock the potentially healing aspects of religiosity. So far, most literature from English-speaking countries has focused on Christianity and mental health, with little attention paid to Muslim mental health. This is the fastest growing religion in English-speaking countries, and the mental health of Muslims in these countries is under-researched. As such, the present paper summarises new directions in the mental health and religion literature, with a focus on the mental health of Muslims in English-speaking countries.
Highlights
Numerous commentators have noted a historic ambivalence between religion and psychiatry
Most literature from English-speaking countries has focused on Christianity and mental health, with little attention paid to Muslim mental health
The present paper summarises new directions in the mental health and religion literature, with a focus on the mental health of Muslims in Englishspeaking countries
Summary
Religion and mental health: a narrative review with a focus on Muslims in English-speaking countries. Most literature from English-speaking countries has focused on Christianity and mental health, with little attention paid to Muslim mental health. This is the fastest growing religion in Englishspeaking countries, and the mental health of Muslims in these countries is underresearched. Numerous commentators have noted a historic ambivalence between religion and psychiatry.[1,2,3,4] This can be traced back to the writings of formative figures in the early decades of psychiatry; for example, Freud argued that religion was a delusional infantilism that could be disabused through therapy.[5] Other magisterial figures such as Ellis and Skinner considered some aspects of religion to be antithetical to positive mental health.[6,7]. This may signify a continued uneasiness within psychiatry about incorporating aspects of religion into psychiatric research and practice
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