Spirituality and religion have complex, nuanced relationships with coronavirus disease 2019 — often protective, sometimes harmful, always worth examining.
How Spirituality Can Help Coronavirus Disease 2019
Research consistently shows that religious/spiritual practices correlate with better mental health outcomes:
- Community and belonging buffer against coronavirus disease 2019
- Meaning frameworks provide context for suffering
- Practices like prayer, meditation, and ritual activate relaxation responses
- Hope orientation (central to many traditions) reduces coronavirus disease 2019
When Spirituality Complicates Coronavirus Disease 2019
Spiritual distress — doubt, moral injury, or religious community that shames coronavirus disease 2019 — can worsen psychological suffering. Spiritually-integrated therapy addresses both dimensions.
Integrating Spirituality and Coronavirus Disease 2019 Treatment
Spiritually-sensitive therapists work with (not around) clients' faith frameworks. If your faith is important to you, look for a therapist who integrates rather than dismisses it.