Use Of Spiritual Interventions Research Articles

Preventing dropout in spiritually integrated psychotherapies: What are the effective methods of attending to clients' spirituality?

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between clinicians' use of varying types of spiritual interventions in the first session of spiritually integrated psychotherapies (SIPs) and clients' likelihood of returning for a second session. In total, 154 practitioners of SIPs from 33 settings in a practice-research network reported on their implementation of different methods for addressing clients' religion/spirituality on an after-session summary checklist. Roughly 80% or more of the clinicians implemented at least one spiritual intervention in the first session; on average, clinicians used 3.26 (SD = 3.66) of the interventions on the checklist. Occurring with 20% or more of the 1,094 clients, the most commonly used spiritual interventions included listening to spiritual issues, discussing compassion and hope, affirming clients' divine worth and attempts to trust God. In total, nearly one in five clients did not return for a second session. Focusing on interventions that were empirically linked with clients' engagement in a second session in bivariate analyses, discussion of spiritual dimensions of clients' problems and solutions was associated with a 118% greater probability that clients engaged in SIPs; in contrast, discussion of hope was linked with a 40% decrease in treatment engagement. In conclusion, findings highlight the potential opportunities and risks for implementing interventions that attend to clients' spirituality and/or religious faith at the start of SIPs. Research is needed to understand factors associated with the effective use of spiritual interventions and methods of training clinicians accordingly. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Spiritually incorporating couple therapy in practice: Christian-accommodated couple therapy as an illustration.

Spiritually incorporating couple therapy (SICT)-couple therapy that incorporates spiritual interventions-has a growing research base. Information is limited on how spiritual interventions are used in practice; thus we studied treatment-as-usual (TAU). SICT is treatment that, at a couple's request, sometimes draws upon spiritual resources when addressing relational issues. We tracked 65 couples from 29 couple therapists (who advertised as spiritually incorporating therapists) over 402 sessions of SICT. Couple spirituality predicted use of spiritual interventions more than did therapist spirituality. The most used spiritual interventions included silent prayer for the couple, discussions of hope and forgiveness, and encouragement to consult their heart. In SICT, therapists used evidence-based couple therapy approaches. SICT should (a) treat highly religious couples in high distress as being at risk for early drop out; (b) follow couples' leads in using spiritual methods; and (c) draw on evidence-based couple and spiritual practices. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Christian Counsellors’ Experience of Hearing from God for their Clients: An Interpretative Phenomenological Approach

Hayley Barnett https://doi.org/10.52456/WACJO211 Download PDF of article Abstract Background: The integration of spirituality in counselling is now more acceptable in the counselling profession. Research has tended to focus on the use of spiritual interventions with clients, rathe

The use of spiritually integrated psychotherapies in mental health treatment centers

ABSTRACT Practice-based evidence research was used to document the use of spiritual interventions in three mental health treatment settings among eight therapists and 128 clients. Materials included measures of client distress, along with measures of counselor’s therapeutic process use and orientations toward the delivery of spiritual interventions. Analyses revealed the most common theoretical approaches and spiritual interventions in our settings. Differences emerged in cross-site comparisons of therapeutic processes, as well as in spiritual intervention use with clients of different genders. This study contributes insight into what is being done in real-world settings to address spirituality into psychotherapeutic interventions.

The effectiveness of spiritual interventions in the workplace for work-related health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To investigate the effectiveness of spiritual interventions in the workplace for different health outcomes through the use of a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Most studies including spirituality in the workplace investigated it at the organisational/business level, while giving a secondary value to the well-being and quality of life of the workers. Systematic review and meta-analysis carried out on the following databases: SCOPUS, PubMed and Web of Science. Spiritual interventions investigating work-related health outcomes were included. Then, meta-analyses were conducted. From a total of 2,832 studies, 7 articles were included in the systematic review and 6 in the meta-analysis. Spiritual interventions, as compared to controls, improved the health outcomes of the workers (standard mean difference (SMD), -1.42; 95% CI, -1.98, -0.86; p<.001; I2 =96%). Subanalyses revealed that yoga was an effective intervention and that stress was reduced by these interventions. Spiritual interventions in the workplace seem to be effective in improving workers' health. Nevertheless, the high heterogeneity and limited number of studies may hinder more robust conclusions at the moment. The use of spiritual interventions should be considered in workplaces in order to reduce the stress and other negative outcomes.

Counseling and Spiritual Assistance to Chemotherapy Patients: A Reflection in the Light of Jean Watson's Theory

Abstract Aim: To reflect on the use of spiritual interventions and methods of psychological, theological and psychotherapeutic counseling applicable to nursing. Method: Theoretical reflection article, used to identify approximations and distances of counseling methods and spiritual interventions with Jean Watson's Theory of Human Care. Results: The critical analysis of methods of psychological, theological and psychotherapeutic counseling indicates approximations with the Theory of Human Care, promoting the improvement of spiritual interventions directed to patients in chemotherapy. Conclusion: From Jean Watson's Theory emerged a creative, original and unique advice in nursing. Implications for practice: Understanding counseling methods and spiritual interventions are important tools for the practice of oncological nursing, as well as enhancing the resources available to integrate spirituality and health.

Stress and Spirituality on the Depressive Symptoms of Older Adults in Assisted Living: Gender Differences

In this study the authors explore the effects of stress and spirituality on the depressive symptoms of 92 older adult men and 224 older adult women who reside in assisted living facilities. Hierarchical regression reveals that stress was related to increases in depressive symptoms. The stress of women was more strongly associated with depressive symptoms than found among men. In contrast, spiritual coping was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms among all older adults in assisted living. The spiritual coping of older adult women was not a significant predictor of decreased depressive symptoms. Through this study the authors support the use of spiritual interventions to alleviate depressive symptoms experienced by older adults in assisted living.

Spirituality and Self‐Actualization: Considerations for 21st‐Century Counselors

This article presents the core of individual self-actualization (Maslow, 1986, 1998) found in individuals' spiritual identity, as illustrated through a case study, its debriefing, and identification of counterindications for the clinical use of spiritual interventions. Future research possibilities on the topic of spirituality and self-actualization are provided. ********** As the 21st century unfolds, the practice of counseling seems to be buffeted by multiple conceptual forces that may appear incongruent. Two of these forces form the framework for this article. One pressure concerns the balance between a deficit-focused, pathology-oriented approach to counseling, as used through the practice of diagnosis for the purposes of third-party reimbursement, and a growth-focused actualization model of professional service, as espoused by the humanist tradition. A second divergence calls attention to issues of cultural diversity in the practice of counseling, without specification as to which issues are most salient to which clients and for which client issues. As a potential resolution to these two tensions, this article provides a rationale and guidelines for incorporating a growth-focused model integrating the attributes of spiritual identity. To accomplish this purpose, topics including the focus of counseling and distinguishing deficiency and growth needs within Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory lead to an exploration of the process of identity formation. This discussion of identity narrows to a focus on spiritual identity and maturity, including a brief consideration of eudaimonic well-being. The connotations of these philosophical and theoretical bases will describe the centrality of spirituality in a growth-focused model for clients. This description is illustrated through the use of a case study, its debriefing, and attention to counterindicators for using such interventions in counseling. In additions, the implications of this viewpoint for future research are provided. THE FOCUS OF COUNSELING The first identified pressure asks counselors to determine how they wish to balance the deficit and potential-focused belief systems about clients and their issues. This query invites counselors to bear in mind their underlying assumptions regarding the potential of individuals to transcend their current life situations. For those counselors who choose to adhere to the tenets of humanistic counseling, the Association for Humanistic Counseling (AHC; 2011) website specified such core beliefs as follows: Humanistic theories attempt to describe the phenomenologically constructed world of the client by exploring the potential of humanity through the nature and experience of values, spirituality, meaning, emotions, transcendence, intentionality, healthy relationships, the self, self-actualization, creativity, mortality, holism, intuition, and responsibility (among other topics) ... It is within the humanistic counseling tradition that the core conditions of counseling emerged: unconditional positive regard, empathy, congruence, authenticity, caring for the client, phenomenological assessment strategies, self-discovery, and insight. These core conditions permit therapeutic intervention in life areas which were previously inaccessible, such as love, hope, meaning of life, loss, relationships, creativity, holism, spirituality, freedom, transcendence, personal growth, social justice, multicultural and gender issues, responsibility, and interdependence. (What Defines Humanistic Theories?) These values hold that reaching human potential comes not through curative measures, such as diagnosis and symptom amelioration, but through freeing innate impulses for personal growth. It is accessing of one's true self that reveals those canons germane to each individual. Among those values are one's spirituality, meaning, and transcendence. …

Current Status of Spirituality in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs

Strong spiritual experiences in life are a protective, positive, prognostic factor in cardiovascular diseases. However, spirituality is often neglected in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs. The purpose of this article was to review studies that investigated spirituality in CR programs. The electronic databases PubMed, CINHAL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews were searched for studies that measured spirituality in a CR population. The search included studies with and without spiritual interventions in CR settings. Five quantitative studies and 1 qualitative study that enrolled a total of 1636 patients in phase 2 CR programs were reviewed. The spiritual interventions found were relaxation responses and spiritual classes. Two studies showed preliminary evidence that supports the further exploration of spiritual interventions in CR programs. Evidence supporting the use of spiritual interventions for medical and psychological outcomes in CR programs is very limited because of a lack of controlled clinical trials. However, the descriptive and observational studies provide some empirical support to further explore spiritual interventions in CR programs, with the goal of enhancing the psychosocial and emotional status of CR participants. Further rigorous research design and procedures are needed to establish the contribution of spirituality in CR programs for cardiac patients.

The Brief Serenity Scale

This article describes a factor analysis of a 22-item version of the Serenity Scale, a tool that measures spirituality and well-being. A sample of 87 participants, enrolled in a National Institutes of Health-funded clinical trial examining the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction on symptom management post-solid organ transplantation, completed the abbreviated instrument. Exploratory factor analysis yielded three subscales: acceptance, inner haven, and trust. The Serenity Scale was positively associated with positive affect and mindful awareness and inversely related to negative affect, anxiety, depression, health distress and transplant-related stress. Serenity, a dimension of spirituality that is secular and distinct from religious orientation or religiosity, shows promise as a tool that could be used to measure outcomes of nursing interventions that improve health and well-being. Spirituality is recognized as being an essential component of holistic nursing practice. As nurses expand their use of spiritual interventions, it is important to document outcomes related to nursing care. The Serenity Scale appears to capture a dimension of spirituality, a state of acceptance, inner haven and trust that is distinct from other spirituality instruments.

Spiritual Interventions in Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention

This article reviews the recent research literature related to the use of spiritual interventions in the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. Empirical outcome studies are critically reviewed and a brief overview is given of spiritual interventions which have yet to be studied empirically. Areas for further research are delineated and philosophical and methodological issues related to the study of spiritual interventions are discussed.

Guided by Ethics

This random national survey anonymously explored 299 gerontological social workers' attitudes about spirituality and the use of spiritual interventions in practice. Respondents support the inclusion of religion and spirituality in education and practice as a diversity component, as part of holistic assessment, and as a fundamental aspect of human life. Nearly 70% of respondents report little or no preparation on spiritual issues during their schooling and only 24.5% report satisfaction with their educational preparation on this topic. While respondents' personal spirituality correlates positively and weakly with the use of spiritual interventions, it is ethical attitudes toward spiritual interventions that predict the use of spiritual interventions by gerontological social workers.

A Series of Progressive Legal and Ethical Decision-Making Steps for Using Christian Spiritual Interventions in Psychotherapy

Recently, there has been a growing trend in the professional literature to address the question: “In what ways should spiritual interventions be used in counseling, with which clients, and under which circumstances?” However, few therapists have received training and supervised experience in incorporating spiritual interventions into their work. This article briefly addresses the purpose and prevalence of Christian spiritual interventions and proposes a series of progressive legal and ethical decision-making steps to improve therapists' skills in incorporating such interventions into psychotherapy. The initial steps include an assessment of the therapist's role, the setting of therapy, and the presenting problem of the client. Additional steps include obtaining informed consent, evaluating a therapist's competency, maintaining professional and scientific responsibility, respecting the client's religious values, documenting the use of spiritual interventions, making appropriate financial arrangements, and promoting the welfare of the client.