Assessing problems with religious content: a comparison of rabbis and psychologists.

Rabbis and clinical psychologists distinguish among mental disorder, religious or spiritual problem, and pure religious problem in a similar way, supporting the validity of the DSM-IV category 'religious or spiritual problem' (V62.89). A national random sample of 111 rabbis and 90 psychologists evaluated vignettes describing schizophrenia, mystical experience, and mourning. Both groups agreed on the religious etiology, helpfulness of psychiatric medication, and seriousness of each problem. The V code enables finer distinctions among the range of issues people bring to clergy and mental health professionals, potentially fostering co-professional consultation.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study measured distinctions made by a sample of clergy and mental health professionals in response to three categories of presenting problems with religious content: mental disorder, religious or spiritual problem, and "pure" religious problem. A national, random sample of rabbis (N = 111) and clinical psychologists (N = 90) provided evaluations of three vignettes: schizophrenia, mystical experience, and mourning. The participants evaluated the religious etiology, helpfulness of psychiatric medication, and seriousness of the presenting problems. The rabbis and psychologists distinguished between the three diverse categories of presenting problems and concurred in their distinctions. The results provide empirical evidence for the construct validity of the new DSM-IV category religious or spiritual problem (V62.89). Use of the V code allows for more subtle distinctions among the variety of problems that persons bring to clergy and mental health professionals. These distinctions may also provide a foundation for the initiation of co-professional consultation.