Religiosity/Spirituality and Mental Health: Psychiatric Staff’s Attitudes and Behaviors

Eunmi Lee^1*, Anne Zahn^2*, Klaus Baumann^1*

¹Department of Caritas Science and Christian Social Welfare, Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany.
²Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Hospital, Freiburg, Germany.

DOI: 10.4236/jss.2014.211002                

Abstract

Along with the bio-psycho-social model in patient-centered care, religiosity/spirituality (ReS) receives increasing attention from medical communities. Correspondingly, healthcare professionals’ perspectives and their attitudes towards ReS receive increased attention, as their attitudes play a crucial role in the therapeutic process. In this context a nationwide study was conducted at Ger- man university hospitals and confessional clinics to find out what kind of attitudes psychiatrists and nurses have towards ReS in clinical settings. The respondents generally regarded dealing with religious/spiritual issues as appropriate, and also rated themselves to be ready to integrate ReS into therapies. Otherwise, most of the respondents underlined professional neutrality as preventing factor for an integration.

Keywords

Religiosity, Spirituality, Mental Health, Psychiatrists, Nurses, Germany

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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