Depression in chronic illness: does religion help?

Abstract

This article examines the impact of depression on patients, reviews research on the the relationship between religious involvement and depression, and explores the potential role of religious cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of depression in chronic illness. A randomized clinical trial at Duke University is examining the effectiveness of religious CBT versus conventional secular CBT in the treatment of major depression in patints with chronic illness. A validated religious psychotherapy intervention may provide nurses new strategies for helping chronically ill patients with depression.