Religiosity and mental health as aspects of comprehensiveness in care

Rev Bras Enferm. 2021 Sep 6;75(1):e20201011. doi: 10.1590/0034-7167-2020-1011. eCollection 2021.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: to understand how religiosity can influence the health of individuals diagnosed with mental disorders, based on comprehensive care.

Methods: this is an integrative literature review, with the inclusion of articles in Portuguese, English and Spanish, between 2010 and 2018.

Results: the critical analysis and qualitative synthesis of the 24 selected studies were categorized into two subtopics: The influence of religiosity in promoting comprehensive mental health care; Mental health versus religiosity: influencing conditions for effective access to comprehensive care.

Final considerations: a positive influence of religiosity was identified in the lives of individuals diagnosed with mental disorders; however, evidence shows that health teams do not feel comfortable and prepared to work with religiosity as an expression of spirituality. This being one of the dimensional aspects of health, it can be inferred, on the results, the existence of this gap in the comprehensive care approach.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders* / therapy
  • Mental Health
  • Religion
  • Spiritual Therapies*
  • Spirituality