Religious coping and quality of life among individuals living with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the relationship between positive and negative religious coping and quality of life among outpatients with schizophrenia. METHODS Interviews were conducted with 63 adults in the southeastern United States. Religious coping was measured by the 14-item RCOPE and quality of life by the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF. Data were examined via descriptive bivariate statistics and controlled analyses. RESULTS Most participants reported participation in private religious or spiritual activities (91%) and participation in public religious services or activities (68%). Positive religious coping was related to the quality-of-life facet of psychological health (r=.28, p=.03). Negative religious coping and quality of life were inversely related (r=–.30, p=.02). Positive religious coping was associated with psychological health in the reduced univariate general linear model (B=.72, p=.03, adjusted R(2)=.08). CONCLUSIONS Greater awareness of the importance of religion in this population may improve cultural competence in treatment and community support.