The power of the divine: religion, rituals, and healing in Greece
T. Dallas, Noelle Marina Baroutsa, S. Dein
Mental Health Religion & Culture September 13, 2020 DOI: 10.1080/13674676.2020.1825363 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Critical review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | religious healing ritual healing |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key findings | Supernatural explanatory models of mental illness remain prevalent in Greece, and patients commonly resort to religious healers despite the availability of mainstream psychology. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT The present critical review examines the role of religious healing in mental health in Greece. After describing the history of psychiatry in Greece, and the close links between medicine and religion, we discuss the role of various ritual contexts in healing mental distress. Findings suggest that supernatural explanatory models of mental illness, such as the evil eye and spirit possession still appear to be prevalent in many parts of Greece. Despite the availability of mainstream psychology, patients and their families commonly resort to religious healers. The perception is that ritual healing is effective in alleviating symptoms of mental distress. While studies suggest that ritual participation can be efficacious, there is a need for future research to examine the efficacy of religious healing for mental disorders. Ethnographic methods will play a significant role in understanding how ritual attendees perceive healing and biomedical assessments elucidate physiological changes.