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Cited by 112Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyWorkplace Spirituality and LeadershipStudy and Philosophy of Religion

The experiences of spirituality among adults with mental health difficulties: a qualitative systematic review

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Milner, K., Crawford, P., Edgley, A., Hare-Duke, L., Slade, M.·2020·Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences
DOI 10.1017/s2045796019000234PMC PMC8061134
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Abstract

Aims: Despite an increasing awareness of the importance of spirituality in mental health contexts, a ‘religiosity gap’ exists in the difference in the value placed on spirituality and religion by professionals compared with service users. This may be due to a lack of understanding about the complex ways people connect with spirituality within contemporary society and mental health contexts, and can result in people's spiritual needs being neglected, dismissed or pathologised within clinical practice. The aim of this qualitative systematic review is to characterise the experiences of spirituality among adults with mental health difficulties in published qualitative research. Methods: An electronic search of seven databases was conducted along with forward and backward citation searching, expert consultation and hand-searching of journals. Thirty-eight studies were included from 4944 reviewed papers. The review protocol was pre-registered (PROSPERO:CRD42017080566). Results: A thematic synthesis identified six key themes: Meaning-making (sub-themes: Multiple explanations; Developmental journey; Destiny v. autonomy), Identity, Service-provision, Talk about it, Interaction with symptoms (sub-themes: Interactive meaning-making; Spiritual disruption) and Coping (sub-themes: Spiritual practices; Spiritual relationship; Spiritual struggles; Preventing suicide), giving the acronym MISTIC. Conclusions: This qualitative systematic review provides evidence of the significant role spirituality plays in the lives of many people who experience mental health difficulties. It indicates the importance of mental health professionals being aware of and prepared to support the spiritual dimension of people using services. The production of a theory-based framework can inform efforts by health providers to understand and address people's spiritual needs as part of an integrated holistic approach towards care.

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  • Trauma survivors have identified spirituality as a source of positivity, optimism, security, and meaning.

    “Trauma survivors have identified spirituality as a source of positivity, optimism, security, and meaning (Bryant-Davis & Wong, 2013; Milner et al., 2020).”

    From The relationship between spirituality and resilience and well-being: a study of 529 care leavers from 11 nations. (2023) · cites this paper as Milner et al., 2020

  • The current study's findings are in line with other studies showing benefit from spirituality as relates to well-being and even spirituality as a source of support in the face of adversity.

    “Although the findings of this study are preliminary in nature and require further research to confirm, they would be in line with other studies showing benefit from spirituality as relates to well-being (Ager et al., 2015; Bryant-Davis & Wong, 2013) and even spirituality as a source of support in the face of adversity (Bryant-Davis & Wong, 2013; Milner et al., 2020).”

    From The relationship between spirituality and resilience and well-being: a study of 529 care leavers from 11 nations. (2023) · cites this paper as Milner et al., 2020

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Culliford L and Eagger S (2009) Assessing spiritual needs. In Cook CC, Powell A and Sims A (eds), Spirituality and Psychiatry. London: RCPsych Publications, pp. 16– 38.
  2. Salimena A, Ferrugini R, Melo M, Amorim T (2016) Understanding spirituality from the perspective of patients with mental disorders: contributions to nursing care. Revista Gaucha de Enfermagem 37. 27579841
  3. Sims A and Cook CC (2009) Spirituality in psychiatry. In Cook CC, Powell A and Sims A (eds), Spirituality and Psychiatry. London: RCPsych Publications, pp. 1– 15.

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Authors
Milner, K., Crawford, P., Edgley, A., Hare-Duke, L., & Slade, M.
Affiliations
University of Nottingham (GB)
Corresponding author
Milner, K.
ORCID
Venue
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2019-05-03
Volume
29
Pages
e34-e34
ISSN
  • 2045-7960 (ISSN-L)
  • 2045-7979
DOI
10.1017/s2045796019000234
PMC
PMC8061134
OpenAlex
W2942832094
Cited by
112
References
91
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 10
FWCI
1.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Repository@Nottingham (University of Nottingham) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Repository@Nottingham (University of Nottingham) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Economic and Social Research Council (1795895, ES/S002588/1)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Workplace Spirituality and Leadership
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Study and Philosophy of Religion
Keywords
spirituality, mental illness, meaning-making, spiritual identity, spiritual needs, coping, spiritual practice, spiritual struggle, suicide prevention, holistic care, mental health professionals, service user experiences
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Mental Disorders, Humans, Databases, Factual, Spirituality, Qualitative Research

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