The Protestant child, adolescent, and family

This article addresses Protestant Christianity as an often-overlooked but significant factor in clinical work with children and adolescents. Noting the wide range of beliefs and practices among Protestants, the article identifies key tenets of Protestant faith that shape the worldviews of children, adolescents, and their families. Clinical implications of these beliefs are explored, with particular attention to three potentially psychopathologic features: the religious legitimation of child maltreatment; paranormal, direct experiences of the divine through unusual perceptions such as trance states or visions deemed normal within their religious context but that may also evidence serious pathology; and sexuality issues of particular significance for adolescents. Research suggests that Protestant beliefs also constitute resources for clinical work because they appear to be protective factors in relation to depression, avoidance of high-risk behaviors, and other measures of resiliency among adolescents. Clinicians who do not take the Protestant Christian family's religious/spiritual worldview into consideration in case formulation risk misunderstanding or alienating them from treatment. The article concludes with suggestions for collaboration.