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The Effect of Pastoral Care Services on Anxiety, Depression, Hope, Religious Coping, and Religious Problem Solving Styles: A Randomized Controlled Study

Journal of Religion and Health volume 47, pages 57–69 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

This randomized controlled study measured the effect of chaplain interventions on coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients over time. One hundred sixty-six CABG patients, received pre- and post-surgery testing at 1 month and 6 months with four instruments. Five chaplain visits were made to the intervention group, the control group received none. Comparison scores for anxiety, depression, hope, positive and negative religious coping, and religious coping styles were analyzed. Significant difference was found between groups in positive religious coping (PRC) (p = .023) and negative religious coping (NRC) (p = .046) scores over time. PRC increased in intervention group, decreased in the control group while NRC decreased in intervention group and increased in the control group. Demographics were comparable between groups. Moderate chaplain visits (average total visits time, 44 min) may be effective in helping CABG patients increase positive religious coping and decrease negative religious coping.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the generous support of the Values Fund for Religion and Spiritual Integration in Health Care of Clarian Health Partners, Inc. We are indebted to physicians and their staff who made referrals and provided private space for confidential testing. This project was made possible by the dedicated work of Kenneth Pierce M.S., Stephen Ivy, Ph.D., Dan Young, D.Min., and Stan Jones, M.Div. We thank Larry VandeCreek, D.Min. for his help with the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chaplaincy and Pastoral Education, Clarian Health Partners, I-65 at 21st Street, P.O. Box 1367, Indianapolis, IN, 46206-1367, USA

    Paul S. Bay

  2. CORVAS Cardiothoracic & Vascular Solutions, Clarian Health Partners, I-65 at 21st Street, P.O. Box 1367, Indianapolis, IN, 46206-1367, USA

    Daniel Beckman

  3. The Care Group, Clarian Health Partners, I-65 at 21st Street, P.O. Box 1367, Indianapolis, IN, 46206-1367, USA

    James Trippi

  4. Methodist Research Institute, Clarian Health Partners , I-65 at 21st Street, P.O. Box 1367, Indianapolis, IN, 46206-1367, USA

    Colin Terry

  5. School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, USA

    Richard Gunderman

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  1. Paul S. Bay
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  2. Daniel Beckman
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  3. James Trippi
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  4. Richard Gunderman
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  5. Colin Terry
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Correspondence to Paul S. Bay.

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Bay, P.S., Beckman, D., Trippi, J. et al. The Effect of Pastoral Care Services on Anxiety, Depression, Hope, Religious Coping, and Religious Problem Solving Styles: A Randomized Controlled Study. J Relig Health 47, 57–69 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-007-9131-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-007-9131-4

Keywords

  • CABG
  • Chaplain
  • Religious coping
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Hope