Keywords

holistic therapy, integrative therapy, negative religious coping, positive religious coping, post-traumatic growth, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTG, PTSD, religiosity, religious coping

Abstract

Historically, religion has been overlooked in psychology as a method of coping due to stigma and an apprehension to bring up religious beliefs. Recent literature suggests positive religious coping can help patients with anxiety and PTSD (Anastasi & Newberg, 2008; Areba et al., 2018; Plante et al., 2000; Starnino et al., 2019; Yazici et al., 2020). Religious coping, both positive and negative, appears to affect patients with anxiety and PTSD. Positive religious coping is thought to have a positive effect on both anxiety and PTSD and can lead to greater mental health outcomes (Areba et al., 2018; Harris et al., 2002; Plante et al., 2000), while negative religious coping may have an adverse effect on both anxiety and PTSD and may contribute to exacerbated symptoms (Areba et al., 2018; Bryan et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2018). Although coping with trauma and anxiety is multi-faceted, positive religious coping could be an effective method in treating both anxiety and PTSD. Future implications and treatment strategies are discussed.