Religion and Mental Health [Hardcover]

This is an interdisciplinary collection of previously unpublished papers on the controversial relationship between religious behavior and mental health. Schumaker has assembled a distinguished international roster of contributors--sociologists and anthropologists as well as psychiatrists and psychologists of religion--representing a wide range of opinions concerning the mental health implications of religious belief and practice. Taken together, the papers provide a comprehensive overview of theory and research in the field. Included are papers on the interaction of religion and self-esteem, life meaning and well-being, sexual and marital adjustment, anxiety, depression, suicide, psychoticism, rationality, self-actualization, and various patterns of anti-social behavior. Religion is also dealt with in relation to mental health of women, the elderly, and children. Contributions dealing with mental health in non-Western religious groups add an important cross-cultural dimension to the volume.

An exceptionally comprehensive collection of essays, authored by leading authorities in the field and destined to be the definitive source book on religion and mental health for years to come. --David Wulff,Wheaton College

The chapters elucidate widely different aspects of the very intricate connections between religion and mental health.... Well written....Of great value for psychiatrists. Eva Johanson, Nordic Journal of Psychiatry

Will serve researchers and clinicians alike as an invaluable source book on recent research and reflections. --Contemporary Psychology

A relatively uncommon example of an interdisciplinary book that has not compromised meaningful content and academic rigor by embracing comprehensive breadth. --Journal of Religion

The papers provide a comprehensive overview of theory and research in the field. --Transpersonal Review