Title | Perceptions of Serious Mental Illness in the Local Church |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2008 |
Authors | Stanford, MS, McAlister, KR |
Journal Title | Journal of Religion, Disability & Health |
Volume | 12 |
Pages | 144–153 |
ISSN | 1522-8967 |
Abstract | {ABSTRACT} The present study was undertaken to assess the perceptions encountered in the local church by individuals diagnosed with a mental disorder. Participants (n = 85) were self-identified, mentally ill Christians who responded to an anonymous online survey. Analysis of the data found that the church had dismissed the diagnoses of a significantly large number of the study participants (41.2%). Participants who were told that they did not have a mental illness were more likely to: 1) attend church more than once a week and to 2) describe their church as conservative, and/or 3) charismatic {(“Spirit-filled”).} Future efforts to bring the mental health and faith communities together must focus more on the specific conservative and charismatic doctrinal issues that presently limit such collaborations. |
URL | http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15228960802160654 |
DOI | 10.1080/15228960802160654 |
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