Joke C van Nieuw Amerongen-Meeuse1,2, Arjan W Braam1,3, Christa Anbeek4, Jos Wr Twisk5, Hanneke Schaap-Jonker2,4. 1. Department of Humanist Chaplaincy Studies for a Plural Society, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands. 2. Center for Research and Innovation in Christian Mental Health Care, Amersfoort, The Netherlands. 3. Departments of Emergency Psychiatry and Residency Training, Altrecht Mental Health Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 5. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UMC Amsterdam, Department VUmC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction with religious/spiritual (R/S) care during mental health treatment has been associated with a better treatment alliance. AIMS: To investigate the longitudinal relations between (un)met R/S care needs and treatment alliance/compliance over a 6-month period. METHOD: 201 patients in a Christian (CC) and a secular mental health clinic completed a questionnaire (T0) containing an R/S care needs questionnaire, the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) and the Service Engagement Scale (SES). After 6 months 136 of them took part in a follow-up (T1). Associations were analysed using hybrid linear mixed models and structural equation modelling. RESULTS: R/S care needs decreased over time, but a similar percentage remained unanswered (e.g. 67% of the needs on R/S conversations in a secular setting). Over a 6-month period, met R/S care needs were associated with a higher WAI score (β = .25; p < .001), and unmet R/S care needs with lower WAI score (β = -.36; p < .001), which were mainly between subjects effects. Patients reporting a high score of unmet R/S care at baseline, reported a decrease in SES over time (β = -.13; p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Satisfaction with R/S care among mental health patients is related to a better treatment alliance. When unmet R/S care needs persist, they precede a decrease in treatment compliance. Mental health professionals are recommended to assess the presence of R/S care needs and consider possibilities of R/S care especially in the first weeks of treatment.
BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction with religious/spiritual (R/S) care during mental health treatment has been associated with a better treatment alliance. AIMS: To investigate the longitudinal relations between (un)met R/S care needs and treatment alliance/compliance over a 6-month period. METHOD: 201 patients in a Christian (CC) and a secular mental health clinic completed a questionnaire (T0) containing an R/S care needs questionnaire, the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) and the Service Engagement Scale (SES). After 6 months 136 of them took part in a follow-up (T1). Associations were analysed using hybrid linear mixed models and structural equation modelling. RESULTS: R/S care needs decreased over time, but a similar percentage remained unanswered (e.g. 67% of the needs on R/S conversations in a secular setting). Over a 6-month period, met R/S care needs were associated with a higher WAI score (β = .25; p < .001), and unmet R/S care needs with lower WAI score (β = -.36; p < .001), which were mainly between subjects effects. Patients reporting a high score of unmet R/S care at baseline, reported a decrease in SES over time (β = -.13; p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Satisfaction with R/S care among mental health patients is related to a better treatment alliance. When unmet R/S care needs persist, they precede a decrease in treatment compliance. Mental health professionals are recommended to assess the presence of R/S care needs and consider possibilities of R/S care especially in the first weeks of treatment.
Entities:
Keywords:
Care needs; alliance; compliance; descriptive survey study; religion; spirituality