The perceived effectiveness of traditional and faith healing in the treatment of mental illness: a systematic review of qualitative studies

Purpose This work complements a quantitative review by Nortje et al. (Lancet Psychiatry 3(2):154–170, 2016) by exploring the qualitative literature in regard to the perceived effectiveness of traditional and faith healing of mental disorders. Method Qualitative studies focusing specifically on tradi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 2018-06, Vol.53 (6), p.555-566
Main Authors: van der Watt, A. S. J., van de Water, T., Nortje, G., Oladeji, B. D., Seedat, S., Gureje, O.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Epidemiology
Faith Healing
Healing
Humans
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Medicine, Traditional
Mental disorders
Mental Disorders - therapy
Patient Outcome Assessment
Psychiatry
Qualitative Research
Quality assessment
Review
Spiritual healing
Systematic review
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Summary:Purpose This work complements a quantitative review by Nortje et al. (Lancet Psychiatry 3(2):154–170, 2016) by exploring the qualitative literature in regard to the perceived effectiveness of traditional and faith healing of mental disorders. Method Qualitative studies focusing specifically on traditional and/or faith healing practices for mental illness were retrieved from eight databases. Data were extracted  into basic coding sheets to facilitate the assessment of the quality of eligible papers using the COREQ. Results Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Despite methodological limitations, there was evidence from the papers that stakeholders perceived traditional and/or faith healing to be effective in treating mental illness, especially when used in combination with biomedical treatment. Conclusion Patients will continue to seek treatment from traditional and/or faith healers for mental illness if they perceive it to be effective regardless of alternative biomedical evidence. This provides opportunities for collaboration to address resource scarcity in low to middle income countries.
ISSN:0933-7954
1433-9285
DOI:10.1007/s00127-018-1519-9