Religious coping and psychological wellbeing in carers of relatives with schizophrenia.

Abstract

To examine the use of religious coping and its relation to psychological wellbeing in carers of relatives with schizophrenia. Sixty carers of patients with an ICD-10 diagnosis of schizophrenia, were assessed on strength of religious belief, perceived burden, religious and other coping strategies and psychological wellbeing. Coping strategies of denial and problem solving, strength of religious belief and perceived burden were significant predictors of wellbeing. Strength of religious belief plays an important role in helping family members to cope with the stress of caring for a mentally ill relative. In addition to psychoeducation and problem solving coping, the role of religious coping in enhancing wellbeing of carers needs to be considered in family intervention programmes.