Religious Coping Among Those With Persistent Mental Illness

Abstract

Although religious coping has gained acceptance in some spheres of mental health treatment, it has yet to be integrated into the treatment of those suffering from persistent mental illness. In this study, 379 individuals with persistent mental illness who attended 1 of 13 Los Angeles County Mental Health facilities completed a survey consisting of a demographic questionnaire and an adapted version of the Religious Coping Index. More than 81% of the participants reported using religious beliefs or activities to cope, 65% perceived religion as effective, and the majority devoted up to 50% of their total coping time to religion. Participants with more severe symptomatology were more likely to engage in specific religious coping strategies than those with less severe symptoms. These findings suggest that religion may serve as an important coping mechanism for those with persistent mental illness and that such coping could be appropriately incorporated into the treatment and research afforded by mental health professionals.