Testing a relational spirituality model of psychotherapy clients' preferences and functioning. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sandage, Steven J.; Jankowski, Peter J.; Paine, David R.; Exline, Julie J.; Ruffing, Elizabeth G.; Rupert, David; Stavros, George S.; Bronstein, Miriam
• Is Part Of: Journal of spirituality in mental health. Volume 24:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 21
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Spirituality -- religion -- psychotherapy -- mental health -- client satisfaction -- therapeutic alliance; Spiritual healing -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- Periodicals; Pastoral care -- Periodicals; Pastoral counseling -- Periodicals; 253.505
• DOI: 10.1080/19349637.2020.1791781
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1934-9637

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study tested hypotheses about client preferences and functioning based on a relational spirituality model of psychotherapy in a sample (N = 101) of adult clients at a community mental health center in the northeastern United States. Most clients wanted to engage spiritual, religious, and existential issues in treatment and this preference was positively related to both spiritual/religious commitment and questing. Clients' ratings of therapist diversity sensitivity were associated with ratings of treatment progress over and above the working alliance. Client spiritual well-being and spiritual struggles predicted their psychosocial functioning over and above mental health symptoms. Clinical and research implications are discussed.