Abstract
Introduction
Attention to religion and spirituality (R/S) in mental health care has increased and may benefit treatment alliance.
Aim
To describe the association of (un)met R/S care needs with treatment alliance and compliance among mental health patients.
Methods
Patients in a Christian and a secular mental health clinic (n = 201) filled in a questionnaire. Scales of met and unmet R/S care needs (range 0‒14) were regressed on the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), Service Engagement Scale and Medication Adherence Report Scale. Ancova analyses were performed for the fourteen R/S care needs separately.
Results
In the Christian clinic, met R/S care needs were associated with a higher WAI score (p = .001) and unmet R/S care needs, with a lower WAI score (p = .000). For the Secular clinic, the same trends were observed, but insignificant. Items with the strongest associations were conversations about religious distress with a nurse (p = .000) and a similar outlook on life with practitioner (p = .001) or nurse (p = .005). (Un)met R/S care needs were not associated with treatment compliance.
Discussion and implications for practice
We recommend personalized attention to R/S in conversations. A (perceived) similar outlook on life with mental health professionals may be beneficial for religious and nonreligious patients.
Attention to religion and spirituality (R/S) in mental health care has increased and may benefit treatment alliance.
Aim
To describe the association of (un)met R/S care needs with treatment alliance and compliance among mental health patients.
Methods
Patients in a Christian and a secular mental health clinic (n = 201) filled in a questionnaire. Scales of met and unmet R/S care needs (range 0‒14) were regressed on the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), Service Engagement Scale and Medication Adherence Report Scale. Ancova analyses were performed for the fourteen R/S care needs separately.
Results
In the Christian clinic, met R/S care needs were associated with a higher WAI score (p = .001) and unmet R/S care needs, with a lower WAI score (p = .000). For the Secular clinic, the same trends were observed, but insignificant. Items with the strongest associations were conversations about religious distress with a nurse (p = .000) and a similar outlook on life with practitioner (p = .001) or nurse (p = .005). (Un)met R/S care needs were not associated with treatment compliance.
Discussion and implications for practice
We recommend personalized attention to R/S in conversations. A (perceived) similar outlook on life with mental health professionals may be beneficial for religious and nonreligious patients.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 370-383 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2021 |
Keywords
- alliance
- care needs
- compliance
- religion
- spirituality