Links Between Psychology/Psychiatry and Religion

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue delves into the intersection of religion and spirituality, and psychology/psychiatry—two fields often perceived as oppositional—by analyzing their definitions, goals, differences, and points of overlap. Religion and spirituality center on spiritual growth, repentance, and restoring individuals to reflect the "image of God," whereas psychology/psychiatry prioritize mental health, understanding human behavior, and enhancing life quality through self-awareness.

Historically, there has been tension between the two disciplines, with religion and spirituality frequently dismissing psychology's materialistic approach and psychology/psychiatry occasionally interpreting spirituality as merely psychological phenomena. Nonetheless, both fields share a focus on human relationships, individuality, and self-awareness, though religion and spirituality emphasize the divine and eternal, while psychology/psychiatry address human and temporal aspects.

Despite their distinctions, religion, spirituality, and psychology/psychiatry can work in harmony. In fact, over the last 25 years, the description of the relationship between psychology/psychiatry and religion and spirituality seems to lag behind the academic discussion that has been ongoing for quite some time. Today, there is much more appreciation of religion and spirituality by psychologists/ psychiatrists than there was 50 years ago. So, the main question today is more about how psychology/psychiatry and religion and spirituality can collaborate for the best of human beings. Psychological and psychiatric tools can aid in removing obstacles to spiritual growth, and religion and spirituality can offer profound insights into human purpose and dignity. However, challenges persist, such as religion's focus on transcendence versus psychology’s/psychiatry’s emphasis on practical, worldly concerns, as well as the tendency to commodify psychological phenomena in ways that simplify complex human experiences.

A thoughtful dialog founded on mutual respect can bridge these disciplines. By integrating their perspectives, religion, spirituality, and psychology/psychiatry together can provide a comprehensive approach to human well-being, addressing both the immediate and eternal dimensions of life through empirical research, therapeutic practices, and spiritual wisdom.

We are pleased to invite all interested scholars dealing with the interrelationship of psychology/psychiatry and religion and spirituality to share their thoughts and insights as to how these two areas can come together, if they can communicate and collaborate towards a unity, and how they complement one another to better serve those who seek help.

Suggested themes and article types for submissions

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

• Topics in the psychology of religion and spirituality (in general);
• Interrelation between psychology/psychiatry and religion and spirituality;
• Religion and science (or Orthodox tradition and science);
• Psychotherapy vs. confession (or the ‘Psychotherapist vs. Spiritual Father’);
• Children’s and/or adolescents’ religious/spiritual development;
• The effective role of religiousness/spirituality in mental health;
• Comparing different religions’ effects on mental health;
• Forgiveness and mental health;
• A religious and spiritual perspective on addictions;
• Healthy or sick religiousness—possible consequences;
• Other suggestions.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor, or to Ms. Violet Li ([email protected]), the Assistant Editor of Religions. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring a proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Eleonora Papaleontiou-Louca
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• psychology
• psychiatry
• religion
• cooperation
• interrelationship
• obstacles
• similarities
• differences
• convergencies