Religious Orientation and Delusion in Schizophrenic Patients

Lee, Jun Suk; Kim, Kwang Iel; Lee, Jong Il

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of religious orientation and religious life pattern in schizophrenic patients and their relationships to the types and themes of delusion.
METHODS
Subjects were 120 schizophrenic patients. Diagnostic criteria used in this study was DSM-III-R. Religious orientations were assessed with the Intrinsic and Extrinsic Religious Orientation Scale. Demographic data, religious data and contents of delusion were also analyzed.
RESULTS
1) Distribution and prevalence of religious affiliations were similar to those of general population in Korea. 2) Religious orientations of the schizophrenic patients changed from the "extrinsic" attitude to the "proreligious" attitude as time passed. 3) Prominent religious orientations were different according to religious affiliation. The "proreligious" orientation and the "intrinsic" orientation were dominant in the religious group, whereas the "extrinsic" orientation and "antireligious" orientation were dominant in the nonreligious group. 4) Religious orientations were different according to the types of religions. The "intrinsic" orientation was dominant in Protestantism and Catholicism, the "extrinsic" orientation was dominant in Buddhism and the "proreligious" orientation was dominant in other type of religious group. 5) Schizophrenic delusion and religious factors showed several characteristic relations First, it was suggested that religion facilitated the psychological maturation and served as a ventilating pathway of guilty feeling. Second, schizophrenic delusion seemed to be affected by the types of the religions. Buddhism group dominantly presented delusion of reference and of guilt, whereas Protestant and Catholic groups dominantly presented delusion of being controlled. Other groups of religion dominantly presented somatic delusion. Third, delusion of guilt was most prevalent in the "extrinsic" attitude and 1311owe4 by the "proreligious" and "intrinsic" attitudes. It was similar to the previous study that guilty feeling was most prevalent in the "extrinsic" attitude in the orders of the "antireligious" , the "proreligious" , and the "intrinsic" attitude. Fourth, religious and supernatural themes of delusion were most dominant in the "intrinsic" attitude, whereas realistic themes of delusion were most dominant in the "extrinsic" attitude.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that religious orientation and other religious factors seem to affect delusion formation and mental health in schizophrenic patients.