Religious coping and psychological wellbeing in carers of relatives with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the use of religious coping and its relation to psychological wellbeing in carers of relatives with schizophrenia.

METHOD: Sixty carers of patients with an ICD-10 diagnosis of schizophrenia, were assessed on strength of religious belief, perceived burden, religious and other coping strategies and psychological wellbeing.

RESULTS: Coping strategies of denial and problem solving, strength of religious belief and perceived burden were significant predictors of wellbeing.

CONCLUSION: Strength of religious belief plays an important role in helping family members to cope with the stress of caring for a mentally ill relative. In addition to psychoeducation and problem solving coping, the role of religious coping in enhancing wellbeing of carers needs to be considered in family intervention programmes.