ABSTRACT

Spirituality groups led by healthcare chaplains have been found to aid patients’ recovery processes in US psychiatric units. In Norway, existential groups (EGs) led by healthcare chaplains and co-led by healthcare staff members are offered at psychiatric units; these groups share commonalities with spirituality groups, group psychotherapy, existential therapy and clinical pastoral care, facilitating patients’ reflections regarding existential, spiritual and religious issues. The study aimed to examine associations between patients’ participation and topics discussed in the EGs and their experiences of psychological distress, crisis of meaning and meaningfulness. A cross-sectional design was applied among 157 patients attending EGs led by healthcare chaplains across Norway. Multivariate regression analyses assessed the strength of possible associations, adjusted for relevant demographical variables. Significant association was found between lengthier EG participation and lower levels of psychological distress, while discussion topics concerning religious and spiritual issues were significantly associated with the experience of meaningfulness.

摘要

已发现由医疗保健牧师领导的灵性团体可以帮助美国精神病院的患者康复过程。在挪威，由医疗保健牧师领导并由医疗保健人员共同领导的存在主义团体（EGs）在精神科提供；这些团体与灵性团体、团体心理治疗、存在主义治疗和临床教牧关怀有共同点，促进患者对存在、精神和宗教问题的反思。该研究旨在检查患者的参与与 EG 中讨论的主题之间的关联，以及他们的心理困扰、意义危机和意义危机的经历。横断面设计应用于由挪威各地医疗保健牧师领导的 EGs 的 157 名患者。多变量回归分析评估了可能关联的强度，并针对相关的人口统计变量进行了调整。较长的 EG 参与与较低水平的心理困扰之间存在显着关联，而有关宗教和精神问题的讨论主题与有意义的体验显着相关。