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Religion and Mental Health - John F. Schumaker

Religion and Mental Health

By: John F. Schumaker

Hardcover | 15 October 1992

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Some argue that religious beliefs foster security of mind and mental stability, maintaining that they offer a sense of hope, meaning, and purpose; provide a reassuring fatalism that enables the believer to better withstand suffering and pain; and give people a sense of power and control through association with an omnipotent force. Others assert, however, that religious beliefs can undermine mental health in ways that include generating excessive levels of guilt, encouraging the unhealthy repression of anger, and creating anxiety and fear with threats of punishment for sinful behavior.
This interdisciplinary collection presents previously unpublished papers on the controversial relationship between religious behavior and mental health. Schumaker has assembled a distinguished international roster of contributors - sociologists and anthropologists as well as psychiatrists and psychologists of religion representing a wide range of opinions concerning the mental health implications of religious belief and practice.
Taken together, the papers provide a comprehensive overview of theory and research in the field. Included are papers on the interaction of religion and self-esteem, life meaning and well-being, sexual and marital adjustment, anxiety, depression, suicide, psychoticism, rationality, self-actualization, and various patterns of anti-social behavior. Religion is also considered in relation to the mental health of women, the elderly, and children. Contributions addressing mental health in non-Western religious groups add an important cross-cultural dimension to the volume.
Industry Reviews
"An exceptionally comprehensive collection of essays, authored by leading authorities in the field and destined to be the definitive source book on religion and mental health for years to come."--David Wulff, Wheaton College "The chapters elucidate widely different aspects of the very intricate connections between religion and mental health.... Well written....Of great value for psychiatrists." Eva Johanson, Nordic Journal of Psychiatry "Will serve researchers and clinicians alike as an invaluable source book on recent research and reflections."--Contemporary Psychology "A relatively uncommon example of an interdisciplinary book that has not compromised meaningful content and academic rigor by embracing comprehensive breadth."--Journal of Religion "The papers provide a comprehensive overview of theory and research in the field."--Transpersonal Review "An exceptionally comprehensive collection of essays, authored by leading authorities in the field and destined to be the definitive source book on religion and mental health for years to come."--David Wulff, Wheaton College "The chapters elucidate widely different aspects of the very intricate connections between religion and mental health.... Well written....Of great value for psychiatrists." Eva Johanson, Nordic Journal of Psychiatry "Will serve researchers and clinicians alike as an invaluable source book on recent research and reflections."--Contemporary Psychology "A relatively uncommon example of an interdisciplinary book that has not compromised meaningful content and academic rigor by embracing comprehensive breadth."--Journal of Religion "The papers provide a comprehensive overview of theory and research in the field."--Transpersonal Review "This is an extraordinarily ambitious collection of twenty-four papers on the challenging subject of the relationship between religious behavior and mental health. The editor has skillfully drawn together an international panel of contributors....The book is admirable in its scope and depth....This is a fascinating and important book and one which British mental health professionals would do well to read and debate....This book challenges many cliches about religious repression and guilt and I would particularly recommend it for those working in more multiracial, multifaith, urban environments."--Heythrop Journal "A comprehensive book whose plentiful theoretical and research material deepens the reader's comprehension of those bridges between religion and various mental health issues."--Pastoral Psychology "His careful overview of the subject will benefit newcomers to the field and provide valuable bibliographical information."--Religious Studies Review

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