The Association Between Spirituality and Depression in Parents Caring for Children with Developmental Disabilities: Social Support and/or Last Resort

Citation

Gallagher S, Phillips AC, Lee H & Carroll D (2015) The Association Between Spirituality and Depression in Parents Caring for Children with Developmental Disabilities: Social Support and/or Last Resort. Journal of Religion and Health, 54 (1), pp. 358-370. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-014-9839-x

Abstract
Associations between spirituality and depression were examined in parents of children with developmental disabilities using both quantitative and qualitative methodology. Spirituality was positively associated with depression, whereas social support was negatively related; parents with higher spiritual beliefs and lower levels of support had higher depression scores. Themes emerging from interviews were spiritual/religious coping as a way of dealing with difficulty, as a last resort, and as a form of release from their situation. Associations between spirituality and depression in these parents are more complex than previously thought.

Keywords
coping; depression; social support; spirituality;

Journal
Journal of Religion and Health: Volume 54, Issue 1

People

Professor Anna Whittaker

Professor of Behavioural Medicine, Sport