Conversations and Beyond: Religious/Spiritual Care Needs among Clinical Mental Health Patients in the Netherlands

This study examines religious/spiritual (R/S) care needs and their possible determinants among mental health patients in the Netherlands. Patients in a Christian (CC, n = 100) and a secular (SC, n = 101) mental health clinic completed a questionnaire. Analysis revealed three factors on the R/S care needs measure: (1) "R/S conversations,"(2) "R/S program and recovery,"and (3) "R/S similar outlook on life."The presence of R/S care needs was predicted by the following: site (CC versus SC), R/S involvement, and religious strain. Most commonly, unmet R/S care needs were explanation about R/S and illness by the practitioner, prayer with a nurse, conversations about religious distress with a nurse, conversation when R/S conflicts with treatment, help in finding a congregation, and contact between chaplain and practitioner. "R/S similar outlook on life"was equally important to patients with and without R/S involvement. Patients appreciate a match in worldview with health professionals, either religious or secular.