Skip to main content
Log in

Religious Knowledge and Its Use in Psychiatry

  • Published:
Journal of Religion and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Clinicians' knowledge of and sensitivity to religious issues have been questioned. The present study measures religious knowledge and willingness to utilize such knowledge in clinical practice. We administered a 41-item questionnaire testing religious knowledge and willingness to utilize such knowledge to 28 psychiatric clinicians. The mean religious knowledge score was 61% of the total possible score. In spite of low scores, only 33% of clinicians consistently refrained from initiating discussions of religious issues. Results support a low level of religious knowledge but do not support a contention that clinicians are insensitive to religious issues.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Post, G.P., Letter. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1990; 147: p. 813.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Sevensky, R.L., “Religion, Psychology, and Mental Health.” American Journal of Psychotherapy, 1984; 38: pp. 73–86.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Galanter, M., Larson, D., and Rubenstone, E., “Christian Psychiatry: The Impact of Evangelical Belief on Clinical Practice. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1991; 148: pp. 90–95.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bergin, A.E., “Psychotherapy and Religious Values.” J Consult Clin Psychol 1980; 48: pp. 95–105.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Larson, D.B., Sherrill, K.A., Lyons, J.S., Craigie, F.C. Jr., Thielman, S.B., Greenwold, M.A., and Larson, S.S., “Associations between Dimensions of Religious Commitment and Mental Health Reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry and Archives of General Psychiatry: 1978–1989.” American Journal of Psychiatry, 1992; 149: pp. 557–559.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Sheehan, W., and Kroll, J., “Psychiatric Patients' Belief in General Health Factors and Sin as Causes of Illness.” American Journal of Psychiatry, 1990; 147: pp. 112–113.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Post, S.G., “DSM-III-R and Religion.” Social Science and Medicine, 1992, 35: pp. 81–90.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kroll, J., and Sheehan, W., “Religious Beliefs and Practices among 52 Psychiatric Inpatients in Minnesota.” American Journal of Psychiatry, 1989, 146: pp. 67–72.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Larson, D.B., Pattison, E.M., Blazer, D.G., Omran, A.R., and Kaplan, B.H., “Systematic Analysis of Research on Religious Variables in Four Major Psychiatric Journals, 1978–1982.” American Journal of Psychiatry, 1986; 143: pp. 329–334.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Sims, A.C., “Symptoms and Beliefs.” J R Soc Health, 1992; 112: pp. 42–46.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Favazza, A.R., “Modern Christian Healing of Mental Illness.” American Journal of Psychiatry, 1982; 139: pp. 728–735.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Spero, M.H., “The Reality and the Image of God in Psychotherapy.” American Journal of Psychotherapy, 1985; 39: pp. 75–85.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Saucer, P.R., “Evangelical Renewal Therapy: A Proposal for Integration of Religious Values into Psychotherapy. Psychol Rep 1991; 69: pp. 1099–1106.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Bergin, A.E., “Values and Religious Issues in Psychotherapy and Mental Health.” American Psychology, 1991; 46: pp. 394–403.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Meitzen, M.O., Seime, R.J. & Ward, H.E. Religious Knowledge and Its Use in Psychiatry. Journal of Religion and Health 37, 5–8 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022900814929

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022900814929

Keywords

Navigation