A comparative Study of the Protestant Pastors and Preachers in the Hospital vs. Those in the Church toward Conceptions of Mental Illness

Kang, Du Hyun; Chung, Yong Kyoon

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to compare the conception toward mental illness out of protestant pastors and preachers in the Hospital and Church.
METHODS
The sample in this study consisted of 95 pastors and 53 preachers. The data were collected through a mail questionnaire survey using the questionnaire of Jin-Wook Sohn and Bou-Yong Rhi(1983). Statistics employed for the analysis were the Chi-square test.
RESULTS
1) The hospital pastors/preachers had demonological orientation significantly less than the church pastors/preachers in explaining the mental breakdown during and/or after the revival service. In this case, the hospital pastors/preachers chose psychiatric treatment as a treatment mode significantly more than those in the church. 2) The hospital pastors/preachers chose psychiatrist as a curer of demon possession significantly more than those in the church. 3) The pastors/preachers in hospitals with department of psychiatry chose psychological treatment significantly more than those in the church and In the hospital without department of psychiatry as a treatment mode of mental illness. 4) In the case of a family member of hospital pastors/preachers having mental illness, the hospital pastors/preachers would choose psychiatric treatment as a treatment mode significantly more than those in the church.
CONCLUSION
The results from this study suggest that the role of psychiatrists might be very instrumental to pastors and preachers in being able to become aware of correct conceptions toward mental illness. Furthermore, the pastors/preachers working in the hospital would be more proper and moderate objects than those working in the church.