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The Relationship Between Religious Practices and Delusional Content of Christians with Schizophrenia Latasha Michelle Williams Walden University

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The Relationship Between Religious Practices and Delusional Content of Christians with Schizophrenia Latasha Michelle Williams Walden University Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 The Relationship Between Religious Practices and Delusional Content of Christians with Schizophrenia Latasha Michelle Williams Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Quantitative Psychology Commons, and the Religion Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Latasha Williams has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Rolande Murray, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Barry Linden, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. Tracy Marsh, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract The Relationship Between Religious Practices and Delusional Content of Christians with Schizophrenia by Latasha Williams Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University November 2018 Abstract Religious beliefs and practices are an important source of symptom relief for individuals with schizophrenia; however, it can also be a debilitating source of symptom exacerbation. This quantitative study examined the cognitions and religious life orientations of Christian individuals both with and without a diagnosis of schizophrenia, as measured by the Rust Inventory of Schizotypal Cognitions (RISC) and the Religious Life Inventory (RLI) to examine a baseline for healthy religious cognitions. The aberrant-salience and attribution theories were used to explore the relationship between psychotic stimuli and religious attributions. One hundred and thirty Christian individuals from an outpatient mental health facility, both with and without a diagnosis of schizophrenia completed the RISC and the RLI. A t-test showed that individuals with schizophrenia scored higher on average on the schizotypal cognitions continuum than individuals without a diagnosis. The results of an ANOVA indicated that individuals with a Quest religious life orientation rendered higher scores on the schizotypal cognitions scale. This research study showed that higher levels of schizotypal cognitions were associated with low religiosity. Overall, individuals with schizophrenia showed no difference in religiosity compared to individuals without schizophrenia. This study addressed the stigma of religious practice among individuals with schizophrenia. Results of this study have positive social implications for individuals with schizophrenia and their practitioners/clergy who incorporate religion as a coping method for symptom relief. The Relationship Between Religious Practices and Delusional Content of Christians with Schizophrenia by Latasha Williams Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology Walden University November 2018 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my son Jeremiah Ford. Your presence in my life has inspired me to reach for higher heights. This dissertation is also dedicated to the “Beautiful Girl” who inspired this study. Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge first and foremost my dissertation committee, specifically Dr. Rolande Murray, your support and guidance throughout the dissertation process has been invaluable, thank you. I would also like to acknowledge my mentor and friend Dr. Laconda Fanning for your support throughout my doctoral program. I would like to also acknowledge Dr. Page Huff, for your support throughout my dissertation journey as well. Table of Contents List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ................................................................................... 1 Background ..................................................................................................................... 4 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................... 6 Purpose ............................................................................................................................ 9 Research Questions and Hypothesis ............................................................................. 11 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................. 12 Attribution Theory .................................................................................................... 12 Aberrant Salience Hypothesis ................................................................................... 13 Nature of Study ............................................................................................................. 13 Definition of Terms....................................................................................................... 14 Significance of Study .................................................................................................... 16 Assumptions and Limitations ....................................................................................... 17 Scope and Delimitations ............................................................................................... 19 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 20 Chapter 2: Literature Review ............................................................................................ 21 i Introduction ................................................................................................................... 21 Description of the Literature Search ............................................................................. 22 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................. 23 Attribution Theory and Aberrant Salience Hypothesis ............................................. 23 Psychotic Experiences in the Normal Population ..................................................... 33 The Evolution and Biological Basis of Schizophrenia ................................................. 34 The Evolution of Schizophrenia ............................................................................... 34 Demon Possession and Schizophrenia ...................................................................... 36 Biological Basis of Schizophrenia ............................................................................ 41 Religion, Psychoticism and Schizotypal Cognitions .................................................... 44 Schizotypal Cognitions in the Normal Population.................................................... 44 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 48 Chapter 3: Research Method ............................................................................................. 50 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 50 Research Design and Rationale .................................................................................... 50 Restatement of the Research Questions ........................................................................ 53 Methodology ................................................................................................................. 54 Population, Setting and Sample ................................................................................ 54 Procedure for Recruitment ........................................................................................ 55 Instrumentation ............................................................................................................. 57 ii Instrument for Independent Variable ........................................................................ 57 Instrument for Dependent Variable .......................................................................... 59 Threats to Validity ........................................................................................................ 61 Ethical Considerations .................................................................................................. 62 Protection of Participants’ Rights ............................................................................. 62 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 64 Chapter 4: Results ............................................................................................................. 65 Introduction ..................................................................................................................
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