Date of Award
Fall 12-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department/Program
Forensic Psychology
Language
English
First Advisor or Mentor
Philip Yanos
Second Reader
Cynthia Calkins
Third Advisor
Zoe Berko
Abstract
Little research has examined the intersection of religion and mental health among predominantly conservative communities – where religion tends to weigh heavily. It is known from the literature that religion and spirituality play a role in influencing treatment pathways and views towards mental health. The primary aim of the present study was to explore via secondary thematic analysis, the intersection of religion and mental health within a conservative Midwestern community of youth who are receiving treatment for early psychosis, with a secondary look at family dynamics. Seven participant transcripts were analyzed from the Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy-Young Adult (NECT-YA) adaptation study, where religious mentions emerged (N = 7). Three main themes were determined: religion as a support (n = 6), conflict between mental health and religion (n = 3), and unhealthy religion (n = 2). Findings from this research provide confirmation that religion indeed impacts mental health, treatment, and family dynamic among individuals with early psychosis, from a predominantly religious community; also, conclusions consistent with prior research – that religion be integrated with mental health, rather than divided.
Recommended Citation
Nichols, Breanna, "The Intersection of Religion and Mental Health Help-Seeking: Themes Within Youth Experiencing Early Psychosis" (2022). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/jj_etds/267
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Community Psychology Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Social Psychology Commons