“There is anointing everywhere”: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the role of religion in the recovery of Black African service users in England

Abstract

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Religion plays important role in recovery from mental illness. Religion can have both positive and negative effects on recovery. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: It is conceivable for Black African service users (BASUs) to engage with the mainstream mental health services at the onset of their symptoms. BASUs see mental illness and recovery through the lens of religion. They mostly use Pentecostalism and traditional African healing systems to aid their recovery. The mainstream mental health system and the traditional African healing system exist in harmony for BASUs who are open to simultaneously access both services. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: There is a need to recognize that most Black Africans have unique ways of practising their Christianity. Thus, broad changes are needed in the services to support religious coping tailored to the individual persons in their recovery journey. There is a need for service providers and healthcare professionals to integrate Pentecostalism and traditional African healing systems into the recovery processes. It should equally be recognized that such changes could trigger confusion, dilemmas and paradoxes. Service providers and healthcare professionals must build partnership and collaborative working with cultural practitioners and the clergy from the Black African communities to facilitate recovery and address any misunderstandings. ABSTRACT: Introduction Religion is an important impetus for recovery. However, there has been little work examining the role of religion in recovery for Black African service users (BASUs) in England. Aim The aim of this study was to explore how religion influences recovery from mental illness for BASUs in England. Method Twelve Black African service users were purposively selected and interviewed using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results The study generates fascinating insights that BASUs views about mental illness and recovery are influenced by Pentecostalism and traditional African healing systems. Discussion The participants' perceptions of their mental illness experiences and recovery which are characterized by the pragmatism of Pentecostalism and cultural beliefs are consistent with what is reported in the literature. Implications for practice The findings of the study show that broad changes are needed to accommodate the religious coping of BASUs in their recovery journey.

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