Description
Religion and Mental Health: Research and Clinical Applications summarizes research on how religion may help people better cope or exacerbate their stress, covering its relationship to depression, anxiety, suicide, substance abuse, well-being, happiness, life satisfaction, optimism, generosity, gratitude and meaning and purpose in life. The book looks across religions and specific faiths, as well as to spirituality for those who don’t ascribe to a specific religion. It integrates research findings with best practices for treating mental health disorders for religious clients, also covering religious beliefs and practices as part of therapy to treat depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Summarizes research findings on the relationship of religion to mental health
- Investigates religion’s positive and negative influence on coping
- Presents common findings across religions and specific faiths
- Identifies how these findings inform clinical practice interventions
- Describes how to use religious practices and beliefs as part of therapy
Table of Contents
Part I. The Past and the Present1. Historical background2. Religion and coping3. Religion and negative emotions4. Religion and positive emotions
Part II. Specific Religions and Mental Health5. Protestant Christianity6. Catholic Christianity7. Judaism8. Islam9. Hinduism and Buddhism10. Spiritual but not religious
Part III. Clinical Applications11. Applications in clinical practice12. Evidence-based religious psychotherapies13. Conclusions and recommendations
