Spirituality as ‘detachment’ and ‘comfort’ in the context of depression

ABSTRACT

For this study, 40 people with a diagnosis of depression were interviewed about their conceptualisations of spirituality and religion, and whether or not this had an effect on their personal recovery from depression. The aim of the study was to explore the meanings of spirituality in the context of depression. Using a thematic analysis guided by a multi-perspective approach, this paper adds two novel qualities to the meanings of spirituality in the context of depression: ‘detachment’ and ‘comfort’. These are discussed in relation to research on the effects of spirituality on depression, and to current thematic research on experiences of spirituality among adults diagnosed with depression. The findings of this study are speculative and exploratory in nature.

KEYWORDS:

• Depression
• spirituality
• mental health
• detachment
• comfort; spiritual experiences; suicidal ideation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Anne-Marie Snider

Dr Anne-Marie Snider is a medical sociologist who works for a program called Healthy Connection in Santa Cruz, California. Currently, she is teaching online courses on how diet and exercise shapes our physical and mental health, with a focus on type II diabetes.

Naomi Smith

Dr Naomi Smith is a Lecturer in Sociology at Federation University Australia, Gippsland. She researches how online communities influence the way we make sense of our bodies, and how we live in them.