The French psychiatric doctor Olfa Hélène Mandhouj (photo) is a researcher focusing on religion and spirituality and how these factors can influence the attitudes and beliefs people have concerning their quality of life. She also looks into how spirituality can help in the treatment of mental health issues and improve integration of patients with different degrees of psychological and psychiatric problems. During a medical-Spiritist congress in June, she came to Brazil and said that the spiritual beliefs and values can help in the treatment of patients with mental health issues and improve their quality of life.
Olfa Hélène gave us on the occasion the following interview:
How does the link between spirituality and quality of life operates?
There are accounts that spirituality and religiosity improve the quality of life of individuals. That has been widely demonstrated by many scientific studies in different countries. A number of attitudes and behaviour patterns can increase our level of satisfaction and wellbeing in a number of manners:
- Marital state: Many studies have shown that religious people get divorce or separate less than people who are not religious and they also tend to have a stable family.
- Health: Religious people consume less alcohol and take fewer drugs. They have fewer hypertension problems, heart conditions, cancer and they usually have a longer active life. Better physical health comes with more wellbeing and better mental health.
- Social network: people who carry out activities linked to religion tend to be less sedentary. They are more involved in communal activities and therefore in their communities, which provide them with a feeling of fulfilment and wellbeing, especially among the elderly.
- Hope and optimism: several religious beliefs encourage optimism and positive thoughts.
The vast majority of studies about the link between religion and wellbeing have shown a positive connection between religiosity, the levels of satisfaction with people’s lives and other indications of general wellbeing.
Under the guidance of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the spiritual and religious aspects are systematically assessed in connection with the quality of life. A study group developed a questionnaire to measure the level of spirituality, religiosity and personal beliefs. Not many studies have taken that method into account. Our results, however, show that people with strong spirituality in general have a better quality of life.
What role can religion play in the treatment of mental health disorders?
Religion per se does not have a direct link with mental health. The manner in which it is used can, indeed, be beneficial or damaging. Through some form of therapy, religious socialising can help remove some types of deviant behaviour, helping even prevent the incidence of mental disorders. The bad use of religion, on the other hand, may even trigger some minor disorders.
Is spirituality being studied in France?
As far as I know, the only studies on that field in France are the ones I’m doing, which are filling a big blank. I am carrying out an initial exploration of this vast field, which deserves to be better studied.
How can we apply spirituality on daily clinical practice?
A number of issues must be considered when you make such assessment. What must be taken into consideration more than anything else, and whenever possible, is whether there is a request during the treatment from the patient you have there with you. You must address it in the right measure, without exaggerations or impositions.
