Spirituality as a coping resource: Towards integration into mental health framework

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Mental Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Spirituality is a recognized dimension of human health and well-being.
• Integration of spirituality into mental health frameworks is limited.
• Diverse cultural contexts highlight spirituality's role in coping.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore spirituality as a coping resource for mental well-being.
• To identify mechanisms through which spiritual practices support mental health.
• To examine the context-dependent nature of the spirituality-mental health relationship.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical perspectives review.
• Empirical research analysis.
• Lived experiences from diverse cultural contexts, including Nepal.

Main Results:

• Spiritual practices like mindfulness, yoga, and selfless service aid emotional regulation, resilience, and purpose.
• Spirituality acts as a coping mechanism for stress and adversity.
• Challenges include maladaptive interpretations and the non-linear relationship.

Conclusions:

• Spirituality can be a complementary pathway to mental well-being.
• Holistic mental health approaches should consider spirituality.
• Interventions should be culturally relevant and personally meaningful, balancing with evidence-based care.