Browsing by Author "Bethlehem Teshome"
Item Exploring the Role of Spirituality in Coping with Mental Health: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College,(Addis Abeba Universty, 2025-06-01) Bethlehem Teshome; Abebe AssefaThis research is conducted to understand the role of spirituality in developing coping skills among people with mental health disorders in Ethiopia. As widely recognized, mental health issues have escalated globally; therefore, there is a growing interest in adopting holistic approaches that address both emotional and practical aspects of well-being. Spirituality, as a deeply personal and transformative human experience, is regarded as a potential source of strength and a way to cope with mental health challenges. This qualitative research, using a phenomenological approach, involved 11 in-depth interviews with participants who had experienced mental health issues and viewed spirituality as an important part of their lives, along with insights from nine healthcare professionals. Participants reported that prayer, meditation, and participation in faith communities helped them become more self-aware and foster acceptance of themselves. In a nutshell, clients are committed to different spiritual practices that give them meaning, hope, and strength, whereas healthcare providers, on their part, are overwhelmingly positive about their influence. However, healthcare providers emphasized that a significant disconnects exists in formally integrating spirituality into clinical care. Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are put forth to enhance the integration of spirituality into mental health care in Ethiopia: Develop formal training programs on spiritual care and integrate spirituality into Mental Health Policies and guidelines. Further research is also recommended to examine culturally diverse expressions of spirituality and their implications for holistic mental health intervention.