Description
Recent studies in the Netherlands have explored the complex interplay between religion, spirituality (R/S), and mental health using advanced analytical approaches such as network analysis. These studies consistently highlight the pivotal role of spiritual—but not necessarily religious—variables in recovery processes. For instance, findings from research among adolescents indicate that factors such as hope and meaning mediate the relationships between religious experience, clinical symptoms, and quality of life. This suggests that meaning-making may serve as a critical pathway linking R/S to mental health outcomes.Similarly, networks derived from an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study on religion, spirituality, depression, and suicidality reveal that inner peace—a spiritual variable—emerges as a central node within the network, predicting God’s comfort and support, but not vice versa.
This presentation synthesizes findings from various recent quantitative and qualitative studies among psychiatric patients, even on non-verbal behaviors
and discusses their implications for both clinical practice and research. We examine how core aspects of spirituality and existential meaning-making can inform diagnostic assessments and routine outcome monitoring, as a means to better integrate spirituality into mental healthcare. Furthermore, we address methodological and theoretical considerations for future research on R/S and mental health, emphasizing the need to account for cultural background, religious diversity, and varying mental health statuses. In this way, our presentation aims to contribute to evidence-based practice and culturally sensitive care, advancing understanding of how existential and spiritual factors contribute to recovery and well-being, and underscoring the importance of integrating spirituality into mental healthcare with explicit and implicit approaches.
| Period | 14 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Event title | Global Summit on Spirituality, Religion, and Mental Health |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Boston, United StatesShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |