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COVID-19, Mental Health, and Religious Treatment Research
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COVID-19, Mental Health, and Religious Treatment Research

A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Health/Psychology/Social Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 November 2022) | Viewed by 32210

Special Issue Editors

Dr. David Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA 91182, USA
Interests: trauma and traumatic stress; mindfulness/self-compassion; spiritual theology (with special interest in the experience of the spiritual desert); various topics related to multicultural psychology and social justice
Dr. Eu Gene Chin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University, La Mirada, CA 90639, USA
Interests: access to mental health care for diverse populations; trajectories for mental health problems; trauma/burnout symptoms; instrument development initiatives (psychometrics); dissemination and implementation of culturally-sensitive evidence-based services

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been linked to a host of negative mental health outcomes, including trauma symptoms, anxiety, depression, substance use and suicidal thoughts (Czeisler et al., 2020). It follows that COVID-19 deeply impacts the well-being of faith communities around the globe as well (Xiong, Isgandarova, Panton, 2020). To date, however, a dearth of knowledge exists concerning how:

  • Religious and Spiritual (R/S) dispositions (e.g., character strengths, virtues, attachment to God, spiritual struggles, God concepts);
  • R/S practices (e.g., religious coping, spiritual practices such as prayer and engagement with sacred texts, forgiveness);
  • R/S-oriented interventions (e.g., positive psychology interventions, spiritually oriented interventions, and other interventions involving religious communities)

might be predictive/interrelated with mental health and general well-being outcomes (inclusive of spiritual well-being and relational well-being) during this season of COVID-19.

Accordingly, we would like to invite global contributors to shed light on these issues to help develop a robust literature base on the topic that could inform directions for future research and provide practical/clinical insights and implications for practitioners. Empirical papers are preferred, though conceptual papers and literature reviews are welcomed as well.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 400–600 words summarizing their intended contribution before 15 September 2022 (abstract deadline). Please send it to the Religions Editorial Office ([email protected]) or to the Guest Editors ([email protected] and [email protected]). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

Tentative completion schedule:

  • Abstract submission deadline: 15th January 2022
  • Notification of abstract acceptance: 15th February 2022
  • Full manuscript deadline: 25th April 2022

References

Czeisler M. É. , Lane R. I., Petrosky E., et al. (2020). Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69, 1049–1057. http://0-dx-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.15585/mmwr.mm6932a1

Xiong, J., Isgandarova, N., & Panton, A. E. (2020). COVID-19 demands theological reflection: Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian perspectives on the present pandemic. International Journal of Practical Theology, 24(1), 5 – 28. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1515/ijpt-2020-0039   

Dr. David Wang
Dr. Eu Gene Chin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • mental health
  • religion
  • spirituality

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 279 KiB  
Article
Self-Care for Nurses Who Care for Others: The Effectiveness of Meditation as a Self-Care Strategy
by Junghyun Kwon
Religions 2023, 14(1), 90; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel14010090 - 09 Jan 2023
Viewed by 4019
Abstract
Self-care is how nurses promote their own physical and mental health. Effective self-care is any strategy practiced on a regular basis to prevent stress and anxiety and to enhance the health and well-being. Self-care ranges from getting more rest to seeking professional help. [...] Read more.
Self-care is how nurses promote their own physical and mental health. Effective self-care is any strategy practiced on a regular basis to prevent stress and anxiety and to enhance the health and well-being. Self-care ranges from getting more rest to seeking professional help. Meditation practice is known to be an effective self-care strategy. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of meditation as a self-care strategy among Korean nurses. Two groups of nurses at the university hospital, one with meditation experience and the other without, were selected as study participants, and their depression and resilience were analyzed. The results of the study show that, first, depressive symptoms were more prevalent among the nurses in the non-meditative group (62.2%) than the ones in the meditative group (15.6%), and resilience positivity was higher in the meditative group (4.01 ± 0.44) than in non-meditative group (3.04 ± 0.41). Second, nurses with depressive symptoms demonstrated particularly low resilience in both groups, indicating that resilience is inversely associated with other metal disorders. Third, after one and a half years since the study, the turnover rate of the non-meditative group (17.8%) was twice that of meditative group (8.9%). As stated in the earlier self-care literature that stressed the benefits of meditation, this study confirms that consistent meditation experience on a regular basis has an effect on nurses’ well-being via lower depression and promotes higher psychological well-being via resilience. This study is expected to provide the data collected from the field, including personal narratives, to establish more effective self-care strategies in personal and professional settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19, Mental Health, and Religious Treatment Research)
9 pages, 974 KiB  
Article
Disappointment with and Uncertainty about God Predict Heightened COVID-19 Anxiety among Persian Muslims
by Mohammadamin Saraei and Kathryn A. Johnson
Religions 2023, 14(1), 74; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel14010074 - 05 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1361
Abstract
Religiosity is often associated with positive mental health outcomes. Religiosity may also mitigate COVID-19 concerns. In a sample of 553 Persian-speaking Muslims, we investigated the extent to which specific beliefs about God (Allah) were associated with four negative mental health outcomes: depression, anxiety, [...] Read more.
Religiosity is often associated with positive mental health outcomes. Religiosity may also mitigate COVID-19 concerns. In a sample of 553 Persian-speaking Muslims, we investigated the extent to which specific beliefs about God (Allah) were associated with four negative mental health outcomes: depression, anxiety, stress, and COVID-19 anxiety. Consistent with the results of English-speaking samples, we found that religiosity, belief in God’s benevolence, psychological closeness to God, and positive attitudes toward God were negatively correlated with depression, stress, and anxiety yet uncorrelated with COVID-19 anxiety. Belief in God’s authoritarian attributes was positively correlated with depression, stress, and anxiety yet, again, uncorrelated with COVID-19 anxiety. In contrast, uncertainty about God’s attributes and negative attitudes toward God were positive predictors of COVID-19 anxiety, even after controlling for general religiosity, depression, stress, anxiety, and sex. We conclude that, whereas religiosity and belief in God had very little influence, uncertainty about and disappointment with God were likely associated with greater anxiety about COVID-19. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19, Mental Health, and Religious Treatment Research)
13 pages, 317 KiB  
Article
The Role of Religious Coping in Understanding the Suicide Risk of Older Adults during COVID-19
by Camila A. Pulgar, Afroze N. Shaikh, Laura Shannonhouse and Don Davis
Religions 2022, 13(8), 731; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel13080731 - 11 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2034
Abstract
In the United States, racially diverse, homebound older adults have been among those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. During times of disaster, persons impacted tend to turn to their faith to make sense of suffering. COVID-19 has been an unusual disaster, as [...] Read more.
In the United States, racially diverse, homebound older adults have been among those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. During times of disaster, persons impacted tend to turn to their faith to make sense of suffering. COVID-19 has been an unusual disaster, as physical distancing was required to keep those most susceptible safe. Due to the resulting social isolation and loneliness, suicidal behaviors and ideation (e.g., desire to die) have increased during the pandemic. Suicide desire is encapsulated by two states: thwarted belongingness (T.B., chronic loneliness and lack of reciprocal care) and perceived burdensomeness (P.B., belief that one is a burden to others and society) and has historically been inversely correlated with religiosity. Therefore, understanding how religious coping can contribute to the relationship between the impact of COVID-19 on T.B. and P.B. in homebound older adults is important in understanding their suicide risk. Our participants (ages 62–101) varied in suicidality. Increases in suicide desire over time were associated with higher levels of negative religious coping. Implications for treatment are provided, particularly the importance of fostering belongingness, buffering perceived burdensomeness with older adults, and promoting positive religious coping and support. Suggestions for future research are also provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19, Mental Health, and Religious Treatment Research)
19 pages, 812 KiB  
Article
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psychological Well-Being of Catholic Priests in Canada
by Stephan Kappler, Innocent Okozi, Francois Diouf and Katharina Hartinger
Religions 2022, 13(8), 718; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel13080718 - 08 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1793
Abstract
Among the general population, frontline workers have been identified to be at heightened risk for negative mental health consequences related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Catholic priests, who minister to approximately 30% of Canadians, in their role as frontline workers, have been profoundly limited [...] Read more.
Among the general population, frontline workers have been identified to be at heightened risk for negative mental health consequences related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Catholic priests, who minister to approximately 30% of Canadians, in their role as frontline workers, have been profoundly limited in the provision of pastoral care due to public health restrictions. However, little is known about the impact pandemic distress has on this largely understudied population. Four hundred and eleven Catholic priests across Canada participated in an online survey during May and June 2021. Multiple regression analysis examined how depression, anxiety, traumatic impact of events, loneliness, and religious coping style affect the psychological well-being, satisfaction as a priest, and priestly identity of participants. Results demonstrated that pandemic distress significantly impacts the psychological well-being of priest participants. Depression and loneliness surfaced as significant considerations associated with lowered psychological well-being. While neither anxiety nor traumatic distress reached a significance threshold, the religious coping style of participants emerged as an important factor in the psychological well-being of priests. Results of the study contribute to the understanding of how the pandemic has impacted a less visible group of frontline workers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19, Mental Health, and Religious Treatment Research)
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22 pages, 364 KiB  
Article
Experiential Avoidance Mediates the Relationship between Prayer Type and Mental Health before and through the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Gabriel B. Lowe, David C. Wang and Eu Gene Chin
Religions 2022, 13(7), 652; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel13070652 - 15 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2248
Abstract
The practice of prayer has been shown to predict various mental health outcomes, with different types of prayer accounting for different outcomes. Considering the numerous stressors facing seminary students, which have only intensified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, prayer may be a common coping [...] Read more.
The practice of prayer has been shown to predict various mental health outcomes, with different types of prayer accounting for different outcomes. Considering the numerous stressors facing seminary students, which have only intensified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, prayer may be a common coping strategy for students who study theology, spiritual growth, and leadership. The present study investigates the role that different types of prayer may have in reducing anxiety, depression, and work burnout among seminary students. Experiential avoidance is proposed as a mediator such that specific types of prayer contribute to greater spiritual and characterological formation through staying engaged in the midst of struggle. Longitudinal data was collected from 564 graduate seminary students from 17 institutions accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. Based on previous research, we hypothesized that experiential avoidance would mediate the relationship between colloquial, liturgical, meditative, and petitionary prayer types and the negative mental health outcomes of anxiety, depression, and work burnout. Results confirmed significant negative relationships between colloquial, liturgical, and meditative prayer types and all three mental health indicators, fully mediated by experiential avoidance. Petitionary prayer was not significantly related to lower levels of mental health. These results indicate that engaging in certain prayer practices may be a protective factor by facilitating experiential engagement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19, Mental Health, and Religious Treatment Research)
24 pages, 368 KiB  
Article
Demonic and Divine Attributions around COVID-19 Vaccines: Links with Vaccine Attitudes and Behaviors, QAnon and Conspiracy Beliefs, Anger, Spiritual Struggles, Religious and Political Variables, and Supernatural and Apocalyptic Beliefs
by Julie J. Exline, Kathleen C. Pait, Joshua A. Wilt and William A. Schutt
Religions 2022, 13(6), 519; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel13060519 - 06 Jun 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 12137
Abstract
Given the prevalence of supernatural beliefs in the United States, some people may believe that God or the devil influenced people to create or receive COVID-19 vaccines. In an Internet sample of 3196 U.S. adults (with many preregistered hypotheses), divine vaccine attributions were [...] Read more.
Given the prevalence of supernatural beliefs in the United States, some people may believe that God or the devil influenced people to create or receive COVID-19 vaccines. In an Internet sample of 3196 U.S. adults (with many preregistered hypotheses), divine vaccine attributions were more common than demonic attributions. Demonic vaccine attributions were linked with more anti-vaccination attitudes and lower odds of vaccination, whereas divine attributions showed the opposite pattern. Demonic (but not divine) attributions showed consistent positive connections with conspiracy beliefs (including QAnon), anger toward people and organizations seen as pro-vaccine, and seeing one’s political opponents as enemies and as evil. Demonic attributions were also linked with more anxiety, depression, and spiritual struggle, and lower agreeableness and social desirability. Both demonic and divine attributions related positively to political conservatism, religious fundamentalism, Christian nationalism, authoritarian aggression, and traditional masculinity beliefs. Demonic (but not divine) attributions were also associated with being younger and having less education. Both demonic and divine vaccine attributions correlated positively with religiousness, belief in God and the devil, and seeing these entities as powerful, able to work through natural events, and intervening often in the world. Demonic and divine attributions also related positively to belief in heaven and hell, seeing many people as destined for hell, seeing life as a cosmic battle between good and evil, and apocalyptic or “end times” beliefs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19, Mental Health, and Religious Treatment Research)
17 pages, 557 KiB  
Article
The Moderating Influence of Religiousness/Spirituality on COVID-19 Impact and Change in Psychotherapy
by Peter J. Jankowski, Steven J. Sandage and Sarah A. Crabtree
Religions 2022, 13(6), 488; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel13060488 - 27 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2004
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a global surge in empirical research examining the influence of the pandemic on individuals’ mental health symptoms and well-being. Within this larger literature is a rapidly growing literature on the associations among religiousness/spirituality, COVID-19 impact, symptoms and well-being. [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a global surge in empirical research examining the influence of the pandemic on individuals’ mental health symptoms and well-being. Within this larger literature is a rapidly growing literature on the associations among religiousness/spirituality, COVID-19 impact, symptoms and well-being. Largely absent from this literature is a specific research focus on psychotherapy clients, and the influence of religiousness/spirituality and COVID-19 impact on change during treatment. One prominent theory in the existing literature centers on the notion that religiousness/spirituality is a coping resource for individuals during times of adversity. Yet, existing empirical findings present mixed evidence for the religious/spiritual coping hypothesis. We expanded upon these emerging research trends to examine the influence of religious/spiritual struggles, religious/spiritual commitment, religious/spiritual exploration, and COVID-19 impact ratings on psychotherapy change in a sample of adult clients (N = 185; Mage = 38.06; SD = 15.78; range = 19–81; 61.1% female; 69.7% White). The results of latent trajectory analysis identified three subgroups that differed on initial levels of symptoms and well-being and the nature of change over three time points. The COVID-19 impact ratings predicted change trajectories. As more positive ratings of COVID-19 impact increased, membership in the no change trajectory was more likely relative to the deterioration trajectory at high levels of both religious/spiritual commitment and exploration. The implications emphasize the need for judicious assessment of religiousness/spirituality and COVID-19 impact before integrating religiousness/spirituality into treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19, Mental Health, and Religious Treatment Research)
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17 pages, 1095 KiB  
Article
Attachment and Mental Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Posttraumatic Growth and Religion as Moderators
by Carissa Dwiwardani, Andrew J. Shelton and Alan Y. Oda
Religions 2022, 13(5), 470; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel13050470 - 23 May 2022
Viewed by 2932
Abstract
Consistent with the teachings in various religious traditions of finding meaning amidst suffering, we suspected that Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) would have a buffering effect on attachment insecurity and psychosocial outcomes. We examined the effects of anxious and avoidant attachment, PTG, and religion on [...] Read more.
Consistent with the teachings in various religious traditions of finding meaning amidst suffering, we suspected that Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) would have a buffering effect on attachment insecurity and psychosocial outcomes. We examined the effects of anxious and avoidant attachment, PTG, and religion on psychosocial outcomes (i.e., anxiety, depression, and loneliness). Data from 466 participants recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and a college student sample revealed that PTG served as a moderator between anxious attachment and (a) depression and (b) loneliness, and (c) PTG buffered the relationship between anxious attachment and anxiety to a greater extent among Christians, compared to non-Christians. On the other hand, (a) PTG did not moderate the link between attachment avoidance and depression, (b) PTG exacerbated the relationship between attachment avoidance and anxiety, and (c) PTG buffered the association between attachment avoidance and loneliness for non-Christians, but this link was amplified for Christians. We discuss the findings that PTG interacted with religion and offered protective effects for anxious (but not avoidant) attachment. Factors that may have contributed to the difference between the two attachment styles are discussed, along with implications from cultural-religious and adult attachment frameworks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19, Mental Health, and Religious Treatment Research)
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14 pages, 594 KiB  
Article
Religious Views of Suffering Profile Groups during COVID-19
by Kenneth T. Wang, Krista J. Cowan, Cynthia B. Eriksson, Matthew Januzik and Moriah R. Conant
Religions 2022, 13(5), 453; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rel13050453 - 17 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1979
Abstract
Religion plays an important role in making sense of adversity, and individuals hold varying beliefs about God’s role in suffering (theodicy). This study examined the association between individuals’ theodicies at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and outcomes of their religiousness and psychological [...] Read more.
Religion plays an important role in making sense of adversity, and individuals hold varying beliefs about God’s role in suffering (theodicy). This study examined the association between individuals’ theodicies at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and outcomes of their religiousness and psychological well-being. The first aim was to classify participants into profile groups based on theodicy. The second aim was to compare the groups on religious commitment, COVID-19 stress, anxiety, and psychological well-being. Theodicy was measured with the Views of Suffering Scale among 233 participants. Three distinct groups emerged, viewing God as active, God as passive, and suffering as random. Individuals who held an active view of God’s role were most religiously committed and had the lowest levels of general anxiety and stress regarding COVID-19. In contrast, those who viewed God as passive reported the highest general anxiety level. Those who viewed suffering as random reported the highest level of COVID-19 stress and the lowest level of religious commitment. This study demonstrates the benefits of considering a person-centered approach to understanding theodicy. Even within a predominantly religious sample, the three clusters of active, passive, and random views demonstrated meaningful differences in outcomes between the groups of participants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19, Mental Health, and Religious Treatment Research)
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