PSYCHOSPIRITUAL INTERVENTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH: A RECENT COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This systematic literature review explores the role of psychospiritual interventions in promoting mental health, highlighting their growing relevance in clinical and non-clinical settings. With increasing global interest in holistic approaches to psychological well-being, particularly those integrating spiritual dimensions, this study addresses the gap in synthesised evidence on the effectiveness and contextual applications of such interventions. The primary objective is to evaluate existing empirical research on psychospiritual and spiritual well-being strategies and their impact on mental health outcomes. An advanced literature search was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases, employing the keywords psychospiritual, mental health, and spiritual well-being. The review adhered strictly to the PRISMA framework, beginning with the identification of 3,157 records, followed by a screening and eligibility process that culminated in 31 studies being included for full qualitative synthesis. Thematic analysis of the selected studies resulted in the development of three core themes: (1) Psychospiritual Interventions and Mental Health Outcomes, focusing on measurable improvements in anxiety, depression, and emotional resilience; (2) Religious and Spiritual Coping in Specific Populations, highlighting culturally embedded coping strategies among caregivers, healthcare workers, and individuals facing illness or trauma; and (3) Spiritual Care and Clinical/Healthcare Settings, examining structured interventions and the integration of spiritual care in therapeutic and hospital environments. The review finds that psychospiritual practices offer promising complementary strategies in mental health care, particularly when aligned with the cultural and spiritual orientations of target populations. These findings underscore the importance of interdisciplinary and culturally sensitive frameworks in designing mental health interventions that incorporate spiritual dimensions.