Early trauma and serious mental illness: what role does spirituality play?

For many who experience serious mental illness, spirituality and religion can be common vehicles that provide a sense of coherence and meaning to life. However, in the presence of early trauma, spiritual and religious beliefs may be enhanced or destroyed, or never develop. This paper explores the re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Mental health, religion & culture Vol. 19; no. 10; pp. 1094 - 1117
Main Authors:	Starnino, Vincent R., Sullivan, W. Patrick
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Abingdon Routledge 25-11-2016 Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects:	Child abuse & neglect Child development Early trauma Meaning Mental disorders Post-traumatic growth posttraumatic growth recovery Religion Religion & psychology Religiosity Religious beliefs serious mental illness Spirituality Trauma
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	For many who experience serious mental illness, spirituality and religion can be common vehicles that provide a sense of coherence and meaning to life. However, in the presence of early trauma, spiritual and religious beliefs may be enhanced or destroyed, or never develop. This paper explores the relationship between spirituality/religion, early trauma, and serious mental illness. Three case examples from a qualitative phenomenological study are presented to illustrate spiritual and religious struggles that can arise and how a person can work through these over time to use spirituality and religion as positive resources for recovery. Tentative implications for practice are offered.
ISSN:	1367-4676 1469-9737
DOI:	10.1080/13674676.2017.1320368