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Use of Spirituality in the Treatment of Depression: Systematic Literature Review

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Abstract

Spirituality has been gaining recognition as a potential treatment modality. Our paper aimed to provide a systematic overview of existing research examining the use of spirituality as a treatment method for depression. All articles published between 2000 and 2018 that scientifically evaluated therapeutic interventions with elements of spirituality were included in the review. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Their analysis showed that there were elements of spirituality-based treatments that were repeatedly mentioned, including gratitude, forgiveness, self-acceptance, and compassion. Most often, spirituality was used together with psychotherapy. The review also noted the emergence of digital interventions.

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Notes

  1. TAU has been defined as “watchful waiting or physical exercise for mild depressive symptoms, antidepressant medication or psychological treatment for mild to moderate major depression and a combination of treatments for severe major depression” ([23], p.73).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Theology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Tatjana Markelj Pečečnik & Christian Gostečnik

  2. Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Tatjana Markelj Pečečnik

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  1. Tatjana Markelj Pečečnik
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Correspondence to Tatjana Markelj Pečečnik.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests. No funding has been received for this study and manuscript preparation. This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Potential reviewers:

1. prim. Dušan Žagar, MD, specialist neuropsychiatrist, senior physician, psih.ord@siol.net

2. Prof. Barbara Simonič, PhD, barbara.simonic@teof.uni-lj.si

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Pečečnik, T.M., Gostečnik, C. Use of Spirituality in the Treatment of Depression: Systematic Literature Review. Psychiatr Q 93, 255–269 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-020-09881-9

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