Faith in God Positively Influences Treatment for Individuals

[cronus]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 091606.htm

Faith in God Positively Influences Treatment for Individuals With Psychiatric Illness

Apr. 25, 2013 — Belief in God may significantly improve the outcome of those receiving short-term treatment for psychiatric illness, according to a recent study conducted by McLean Hospital investigators.
In the study, published in the current issue of Journal of Affective Disorders, David H. Rosmarin, PhD, McLean Hospital clinician and instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, examined individuals at the Behavioral Health Partial Hospital program at McLean in an effort to investigate the relationship between patients' level of belief in God, expectations for treatment and actual treatment outcomes.
"Our work suggests that people with a moderate to high level of belief in a higher power do significantly better in short-term psychiatric treatment than those without, regardless of their religious affiliation. Belief was associated with not only improved psychological wellbeing, but decreases in depression and intention to self-harm," explained Rosmarin.
The study looked at 159 patients, recruited over a one-year period. Each participant was asked to gauge their belief in God as well as their expectations for treatment outcome and emotion regulation, each on a five-point scale. Levels of depression, wellbeing, and self-harm were assessed at the beginning and end of their treatment program.
Of the patients sampled, more than 30 percent claimed no specific religious affiliation yet still saw the same benefits in treatment if their belief in a higher power was rated as moderately or very high. Patients with "no" or only "slight" belief in God were twice as likely not to respond to treatment than patients with higher levels of belief.
The study concludes: ." .. belief in God is associated with improved treatment outcomes in psychiatric care. More centrally, our results suggest that belief in the credibility of psychiatric treatment and increased expectations to gain from treatment might be mechanisms by which belief in God can impact treatment outcomes."
Rosmarin commented, "Given the prevalence of religious belief in the United States -- over 90% of the population -- these findings are important in that they highlight the clinical implications of spiritual life. I hope that this work will lead to larger studies and increased funding in order to help as many people as possible."

(continued, An American study based in America....3000 miles away)

[SteveB]

I heard the same thing if you had view of a tree in your hospital bed. Apple trees, more so. Don't get me started on burning bushes.

[cronus]

I heard the same thing if you had view of a tree in your hospital bed. Apple trees, more so. Don't get me started on burning bushes.

Kill or cure with trees and severe depression?

[SteveB]

Looking at trees helps you heal faster apparently.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Watching nurses masturbate helps me heal. I think the NHS should adopt this as policy immediately.

[Hermit]

"Our work suggests..." ... "our results suggest..."

"...people with a moderate to high level of belief in a higher power do significantly better in short-term psychiatric treatment than those without, regardless of their religious affiliation." So, if I believed in, say, Melek Taus, my chances of doing significantly better in short-term psychiatric treatment would be improved? The low sample rate of 159 patients gives me little confidence that that is so.

[FBM]

The placebo effect has been well documented. Where's the news?

[cronus]

The placebo effect has been well documented. Where's the news?

In America going to Church gives you a instant social network. That's more than a placebo effect.

[FBM]

The placebo effect has been well documented. Where's the news?

In America going to Church gives you a instant social network. That's more than a placebo effect.

Does that social network come into play in the psychiatric care noted in the OP?

[cronus]

The placebo effect has been well documented. Where's the news?

In America going to Church gives you a instant social network. That's more than a placebo effect.

Does that social network come into play in the psychiatric care noted in the OP?

Could do if the shrinks a god-botherer and they often are...atheists are ostracized in the US anyway, insane atheists must be really on their own?

[FBM]

The placebo effect has been well documented. Where's the news?

In America going to Church gives you a instant social network. That's more than a placebo effect.

Does that social network come into play in the psychiatric care noted in the OP?

Could do if the shrinks a god-botherer and they often are...atheists are ostracized in the US anyway, insane atheists must be really on their own?

Well, if their faith that their god will make everything alright helps them, then it seems like the placebo effect. If that's connected to their relationship with their shrink, then it still is, afaict.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

What if you believe Uma Thurman is God?

[JimC]

The placebo effect has been well documented. Where's the news?

In America going to Church gives you a instant social network. That's more than a placebo effect.

I think that is an important aspect of church going, but perhaps not the vital one in this area if the reported effect is real. I think it is slightly different to a placebo effect, more like a feeling of being in a safe place, a security thing...

The non-existence of a deity is irrelevant to this putative effect...

[Xamonas Chegwé]

What if you believe Uma Thurman is God?

Don't be silly - we were talking about abnormal people here!

[Gawdzilla Sama]

In the pioneer days people would frequently be on their farms for six days without seeing more than the nearest neighbors. On Sunday Mom, near stir crazy, would demand that they load up the wagon and "go to meetin'!" So churches did some useful purpose, because God is as good an excuse as any to get together and gossip.