Religious Coping Among Muslims With Mental and Medical Health Concerns

Abstract

Studies suggest that a lack of understanding and sensitivity around religious issues by healthcare professionals may be a noteworthy barrier for Muslims seeking treatment. One way to help bridge the gap between Muslims' healthcare needs and healthcare utilization rates may be through fostering awareness and sensitivity about the influence of Islam on how Muslims cope with their illness experience. Using a biopsychosocial-spiritual theoretical framework, a main aim of this chapter is to consider a variety of ways that Muslims use religion to cope with physical and mental health challenges. Religious coping can take a variety of forms: Positive religious coping involves making use of Islam in beneficial manners. Negative religious coping, referred to here as r/s struggles, often involves tension or conflict regarding matters of religion. Understanding the role that religion/spirituality can play in how Muslims cope with their physical or mental illness may help to foster higher quality, more culturally sensitive care. Recommendations and limitations are discussed.