Religious coping and quality of life among individuals living with schizophrenia

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between positive and negative religious coping and quality of life among outpatients with schizophrenia. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 63 adults in the southeastern United States. Religious coping was measured by the 14-item RCOPE and quality of life by the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. Data were examined via descriptive bivariate statistics and controlled analyses. Results: Most participants reported participation in private religious or spiritual activities (91%) and participation in public religious services or activities (68%). Positive religious coping was related to the quality-of-life facet of psychological health (r=.28, p=.03). Negative religious coping and quality of life were inversely related (r=-.30, p=.02). Positive religious coping was associated with psychological health in the reduced univariate general linear model (B=.72, p=.03, adjusted R²=.08). Conclusions: Greater awareness of the importance of religion in this population may improve cultural competence in treatment and community support.