Abstract
This study examines the intersection of religion, mental health, and psychotherapy, specifically focusing on the concept of religious injury or harm. The literature review reveals a gap in research regarding the identification of religion as a potential source of emotional pain in religious individuals. To address this gap, this longitudinal study utilized intake data from 1303 clients and follow-up data from 748 clients three months after the completion of psychotherapy treatment. Primary objectives of the study were to examine whether religious commitment changes over the course of psychotherapy, explore if religious commitment influences mental health counseling outcomes, and better understand the relationship between psychological distress, religious commitment, and therapy outcomes among individuals who perceive religion as having harmed them. The results demonstrate that regardless of religious injury status, psychological distress decreased throughout the treatment period. Furthermore, psychotherapy not only reduced psychological distress but also altered client's religious commitment. Higher religious commitment at follow-up appeared to mitigate the negative effects of religious harm on therapy outcomes, resulting in lower levels of religious harm and improved therapy outcomes. These findings suggest that psychotherapy can effectively alleviate psychological distress and modify religious commitment for individuals who perceive religion as harmful. This research contributes to the existing literature on psychology and religion and emphasizes the need for further exploration of the complex relationship between religion, mental health, and therapeutic interventions.
Degree
PhD
College and Department
David O. McKay School of Education; Counseling Psychology and Special Education
Rights
https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Abegg, Dane, "Religious Commitment, Religious Harm, and Psychological Distress: Course of Treatment Outcomes" (2023). Theses and Dissertations. 10104.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/10104
Date Submitted
2023-08-14
Document Type
Dissertation
Handle
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd12942
Keywords
psychotherapy outcomes, religious commitment, religious injury, Religious Commitment Inventory-10 (RCI-10), Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45).
Language
english