Bipolar Disorder, Religion, and Spirituality: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Religious Studies

Background:

• Mental health clinicians often explore patients' religion and spirituality (R/S).
• Empirical research on R/S in bipolar disorder patients is limited.
• Existing reviews predominantly focus on quantitative studies, necessitating a synthesis of both quantitative and qualitative research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize empirical studies on religion and spirituality in bipolar disorder.
• To provide clinically useful insights for mental health professionals.
• To integrate quantitative and qualitative findings for a comprehensive understanding.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature searches were conducted in SCOPUS, PubMed, and PsycInfo.
• Included 14 quantitative and four qualitative studies.
• Synthesized findings from diverse empirical research.

Main Results:

• Intrinsic religiosity and positive religious coping show the strongest positive correlations with improved bipolar disorder symptoms.
• Patients express a desire for their R/S to be considered by mental health professionals.
• Quantitative and qualitative findings are compatible, highlighting the interplay between belief and illness.

Conclusions:

• R/S, especially intrinsic religiosity and positive coping, can positively impact bipolar disorder outcomes.
• Integrating R/S into clinical practice is crucial for patient-centered care.
• Further research is needed to enhance diagnostic rigor in qualitative studies concerning R/S and bipolar disorder.