The relationship between religiosity and beliefs about effectiveness of clinical psychotherapy

Very little research has explored the relationship between religiosity and beliefs about eh effectiveness of secular psychotherapy. Sue and Sue (2003) explored the relationship between religiosity and help seeking behaviors, but did not address specifically beliefs about psychotherapy. The current study examined the possible correlations between beliefs about the effectiveness of secular therapy and several facets of religiosity using a series of self-report questionnaires. The sample consisted of 80 undergraduate psychology students form Fort hays Ste University, and contained 25 males and 55 females. No significant correlations were discovered. In addition, a clinical scenario was used to measure the relationship between religiosity and desire for religious content in therapy, Six of the religiosity variable (creedal Assent, Devotionalism, Organizational Activity, Growth and Striving, Intrinsic, and Orthodoxy) significantly correlated with desire for religious content (p< .05). In addition, significant differences were found between Catholic and Protestant subsample son several religiosity instruments. Potential methods for making secular psychotherapy more palatable to those who are less likely to utilize it due to religious reasons are discussed.