الفهرس Only 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 235 |  |  |
| | | from | 235 | | |
Abstract
One of the central issues concerning the role of religion in human affairs has been its relationship to construct such as mental health, emotional well-being, and adjustment. While debate concerning the positive versus negative contributions of religion to mental health and related concepts is long-standing, it is only recently that theory and research have addressed these issues in a systematic and rigorous manner. The role of religion in mental health is poorly studied and there is a continuous need to explore the link between religion, spirituality and mental health thus.
This review aimed at highlighting these issues. The major theme of this review is the proposition that psychiatry and religion are parallel and complementary frames of reference for understanding and describing the human experience and human behaviour;
The first chapter highlighted the psychological function of religion and the theoretical models proposed as ways to understand the relationship among religion, potential mediating factors and mental health outcome.
Five distinct models were explained in details, termed; suppressor, distress – deterrent, prevention, moderator and health effects models.
This chapter focused on the function of religion as a source of ego support in different stressful life situations.
The second chapter considered the neurophysiology of religious and spiritual experience. The biological roots and the neurophysiological basis of these experiences which provide information regarding the function of brain. Imaging technique and other measures of brain activity demonstrate the brain function during the religious experience. It was proved that the right cerebral hemisphere, predominantly the right temporal lobe, the limbic system and autonomic nervous system are involved in this religious experience.
The third chapter discussed aspects of religion and spirituality in different psychiatric disorders and delineate the role of religion in mental functioning and coping with stress.
Data revealed that religion colours symptom formation and clinical presentation of psychiatric disease.
Religious commitments is associated with low rates of psychological distress and psychiatric morbidity. Religious practices have an impact on the outcome and the quick recovery from mental illnesses.
(a) Religion and mood disorders:
Numerous findings indicate that different religious groups might differ in their expression of depressive symptoms.
Religious practice is associated with low rates of depression and good outcome.
Depression in Arab patients is characterized by more somatic symptoms, less depressed mood, scarcity of guilt feelings and less suicide rates.
Maniacs have high incidence of religious delusion, however, spiritual interventions can be risky in those patients, whereas, in depressed patients such interventions are very beneficial.
(b) Religion and anxiety:
A plethora of references conclude that the depth of belief moderates anxiety. The treatment modalities capitalizing on religiosity may well make good sense for people who are high in religiosity and provide them with peace of mind.
(c) Religion and coping with stress:
The relationship between religion and coping with stress depend on several factors and models such as;
The stressor prevention, the suppressor model and the stress buffering model and the stress exacerbating effect model.
Date collected from different researches on this topic indicate that religion can be helpful or harmful to coping.
Particular care must be taken to approach these issues with sensitivity and respect for the diversity of forms and functions religion serves in the lives of people.
(d) Religion and substance abuse:
Studies revealed inverse relationship between religiousness substance abuse and dependence. People attending religions setting show lower consumption of alcohol tobacco and drugs.
There exists relatively reliable evidence suggesting the important positive role of religion in abstinence and recovery from addiction.
Additional importance is lent to the determination of the effectiveness of the spiritual aspects of the 12 step programs in addiction.
(e) Religion and psychosis:
The relationship of religion to psychosis is a subject that has not yet been adequately researched. The religious beliefs of the patients may colour the expression of symptoms. Religion, like any other cultural influence affects behaviour, delusions and hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia.
In Arab countries some schizophrenic patients resort to religious people seeking help rather than mental health services.
The fourth chapter highlighted the importance of including religious and spiritual considerations in psychotherapy. This intervention include listening and validating healthy forms of religious coping, providing positive self-esteem, using religious information to alter mal-adaptive, dysfunctional cognition and encourage healthy behaviour. The Islamic principle in psychotherapy is explained in the context of how spiritual support can be integrated with therapeutic techniques in the psychotherapy of different psychiatric disorders.
The fifth chapter provided an overview on the perspectives of different religion an mental health. Each major religion has its own quest for spirituality and wellness. The religious quest in general tells us about the basic human make up, his inner weakness, potential qualities and the need for a set of guiding principles for leading a meaningful life and attaining a healthy state of mind.
The core beliefs and practice, the clinical implication and variations of therapeutic encounters from Moslems, Christians, Jewish, Hindus and Buddhists views were comprehensively summarized.
Finally, the conclusion emphasized the importance of considering that psychiatry and religious can be complementary in meeting the spiritual needs of patients and helping them in their struggles with suffering.
It is recommended that the course content of psychiatric training program should incorporate religions and spiritual content to provide more comprehensive psychiatric approach to the patients.
The future holds great promise for integrating these concepts in pragmatic ways that will benefit both patients and society.