Religion In Recovery Research Articles

Religion and Recovery Among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness.

Faith-based organizations provide essential recovery services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Research suggests that religion and spirituality aid recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, although less is known about these factors in homeless populations. This study used qualitative interviews to explore the role of religion in recovery from addiction in a sample of 14 adults with a history of homelessness. Analysis of emergent themes revealed that religion provided participants with a range of personal and social benefits, many which addressed personal, social, and tangible losses and crises associated with substance use and homelessness. Understanding the specific benefits religion may provide during recovery can guide research and help providers improve programs for this vulnerable population.

"There is anointing everywhere": An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the role of religion in the recovery of Black African service users in England.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Religion plays important role in recovery from mental illness. Religion can have both positive and negative effects on recovery. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: It is conceivable for Black African service users (BASUs) to engage with the mainstream mental health services at the onset of their symptoms. BASUs see mental illness and recovery through the lens of religion. They mostly use Pentecostalism and traditional African healing systems to aid their recovery. The mainstream mental health system and the traditional African healing system exist in harmony for BASUs who are open to simultaneously access both services. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: There is a need to recognize that most Black Africans have unique ways of practising their Christianity. Thus, broad changes are needed in the services to support religious coping tailored to the individual persons in their recovery journey. There is a need for service providers and healthcare professionals to integrate Pentecostalism and traditional African healing systems into the recovery processes. It should equally be recognized that such changes could trigger confusion, dilemmas and paradoxes. Service providers and healthcare professionals must build partnership and collaborative working with cultural practitioners and the clergy from the Black African communities to facilitate recovery and address any misunderstandings. ABSTRACT: Introduction Religion is an important impetus for recovery. However, there has been little work examining the role of religion in recovery for Black African service users (BASUs) in England. Aim The aim of this study was to explore how religion influences recovery from mental illness for BASUs in England. Method Twelve Black African service users were purposively selected and interviewed using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results The study generates fascinating insights that BASUs views about mental illness and recovery are influenced by Pentecostalism and traditional African healing systems. Discussion The participants' perceptions of their mental illness experiences and recovery which are characterized by the pragmatism of Pentecostalism and cultural beliefs are consistent with what is reported in the literature. Implications for practice The findings of the study show that broad changes are needed to accommodate the religious coping of BASUs in their recovery journey.

Religion in the recovery journey of individuals with experience of psychosis

This study investigated the role of religion in recovery from psychosis. Semi-structured interviews explored the experiences of ten participants. Data analysis was informed by social constructionist grounded theory. Several processes through which religion may influence recovery were identified: use of scriptures and rituals; a genuine connection with God; the struggle to maintain rituals; guidelines for living; choice and control; relating to others; enhancing psychological well-being; and making sense of experiences. Implications are that services should address religious needs in promoting recovery. This could be achieved through environmental adaptations, collaboration with religious representatives and incorporation of religion into psychotherapeutic approaches.

Religious conversion among high security hospital patients: a qualitative analysis of patients’ accounts and experiences on changing faith

ABSTRACTResearch has shown the importance of religion in recovery from mental illness. Previous studies have investigated why individuals change faith during custody in prison, but there has been no research to date on religious conversion in forensic-psychiatric hospitals. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of religious conversion among patients detained in a UK secure hospital. Thirteen patients who had converted their religion were interviewed and the resultant data were analysed using thematic analysis. Three superordinate themes (“reasons for changing faith”, “benefits of having a new faith” and “difficulties with practising a faith”), incorporating eight subordinate themes, emerged. Understanding patients’ reasons for religious conversion is important for the treatment and support not merely of these individuals, but more broadly with patients in forensic-psychiatric care.

Spirituality and religion in recovery: Some current issues.

This paper addresses current perspectives on the roles of spirituality and religion in recovery from serious mental health problems. Drawing on a variety of discussion groups and consultations in addition to the published literature, consumer perceptions as well as those of mental health and religious professionals are reviewed. Consumers note both potentially supportive and burdensome roles of religion and spirituality in recovery. Professionals report both hope for, and discomfort with, these domains in the context of mental health services. From each perspective emerge key recommendations regarding the appropriate place of spirituality and religion in psychiatric rehabilitation and related supports.

Adult Burn Patients: The Role of Religion in Recovery—Should We Be Doing More?

Adult Burn Patients: The Role of Religion in Recovery—Should We Be Doing More?

Religious Coping Styles and Recovery from Serious Mental Illnesses

Despite the relative lack of empirical research on the role of spirituality in the lives of severely mentally ill individuals, personal accounts and qualitative studies have demonstrated the importance of religion in recovery from mental illnesses. Research on religious coping has shown faith to be a method individuals rely on to gain control in their lives. This study examined relations among religious coping styles, empowerment, level of adaptive functioning, and recovery activities. Findings indicated that the Collaborative approach to religious coping was related to greater involvement in recovery-enhancing activities and increased empowerment while the Deferring coping strategy was associated with improved quality of life. However, the Self-directing and Plead styles were linked with less positive psychosocial outcomes. This study provided preliminary support to the notion that reliance on religious faith and coping can be associated with active involvement in recovery and positive psychological adjustment among severely mentally ill individuals. Implications of these results and suggestions for future research were discussed.

The Healing Power of Faith: Science Explores Medicine’s Last Great Frontier

The Healing Power of Faith: Science Explores Medicine’s Last Great Frontier

Spirituality and Religion in Recovery From Mental Illness

It is essential to pay attention to the religious and spiritual side of clients' experiences in order to create mental health services that are holistic and genuinely responsive to clients' needs. Drawing on first-hand accounts of consumers as well as on current research, this volume of Directions for Mental Health Services illustrates the ways that spirituality--whether defined traditionally or in the broadest holistic sense--can be an active part of recovery. The authors describe innovative collaborations among faith communities, mental health organizations and agencies, and people with mental illness--and offer specific guidelines for developing such relationships more fully. They also review existing research that demonstrates a positive connection between spirituality and well-being and suggest future directions for increasing the integration of spirituality into mental health services. This is the 80th issue of the quarterly journal New Directions for Mental Health Services.