Spiritual Experiences of War Veterans Who Suffer from Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Qualitative Study

Recognition of the spiritual experiences of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder may be helpful in their rehabilitation. Accordingly, the present study has been carried out to determine the spiritual experiences of Iranian Muslim warriors who suffer from the previously mentioned disorder. In...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of religion and health 2013-09, Vol.52 (3), p.719-729
Main Authors: Nir, Masoud Sirati, Ebadi, Abbas, Khoshknab, Masoud Fallahi, Tavallae, Abbas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Aging
Clinical Psychology
Combat Disorders - psychology
Content analysis
Depressive disorders
Disorders
Female
Humans
Iran
Iraq War-2003
Islam
Islam - psychology
Male
Medical sciences
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Original Paper
Post traumatic stress disorder
Prayer
Psychology of religion
Public Health
Qualitative Research
Religion and Psychology
Religious Studies
Spiritual belief systems
Spirituality
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology
Veterans
Veterans - psychology
War
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Summary:Recognition of the spiritual experiences of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder may be helpful in their rehabilitation. Accordingly, the present study has been carried out to determine the spiritual experiences of Iranian Muslim warriors who suffer from the previously mentioned disorder. In this qualitative study, 22 patients were selected using an objective-based sampling method and underwent an individual, semi-structured thorough interview. The data were analyzed using content analysis. The spiritual experiences of the participants were divided into two main categories as follows: (1) religious attitude consisting of three sub-categories known as "religious beliefs," "religious sentiments," and "religious behaviors" and (2) a national sensibility that includes the two sub-categories of "patriotism" and "proud" of being injured for my homeland. The analysis of the participants' spiritual experiences showed that their specific religious orientation and feelings of nationalism assisted with their improved ability to cope with the consequences of their disorder. Therefore, it is recommended that caregivers use patients' spiritual values to help them cope more efficiently.
ISSN:0022-4197
1573-6571
DOI:10.1007/s10943-012-9629-2