Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41808142›Full record

ArticleBMC psychology2026

Exploring the relationship between religiosity and coping strategies among individuals with mental illness in Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

Joan Abaatyo, Godfrey Zari Rukundo, Samuel Maling, Emmanuel Alol

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Article in BMC psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Joan AbaatyoDepartment of Psychiatry, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. joandux@gmail.com.
Godfrey Zari RukundoAfrican Centre for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda.
Samuel MalingDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
Emmanuel AlolDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMental illnesses are leading causes of disability worldwide, and individuals often turn to religion as a source of support and resilience. In Uganda, where religious participation is deeply embedded in society, the influence of religiosity on coping strategies among individuals with mental illnesses remains underexplored. This study examined the relationship between religiosity and coping strategies among people with mental illnesses at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in southwestern Uganda.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 adult outpatients at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Religiosity was assessed using the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL), and coping strategies were measured using the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE) scale. Exploratory factor analysis was used to classify coping strategies into positive and negative. Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between religiosity dimensions and positive coping while adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical factors.

resultsNegative coping strategies were more prevalent (61.2%) than positive strategies (38.8%). In adjusted analyses, higher organizational religious activity was associated with increased odds of positive coping (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.57), while higher non-organizational religious activity was associated with reduced odds of positive coping (aOR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.81). Family history of mental illness (aOR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.26) and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (aOR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.01 to 3.76) were also associated with greater use of positive coping.

conclusionOrganizational religious activity is independently associated with adaptive coping among individuals with mental illness, whereas non-organizational religious activity is linked to reduced likelihood of positive coping. The high reliance on maladaptive coping strategies underscores the need for comprehensive, culturally sensitive mental health interventions that integrate psychosocial and faith-based support. Further longitudinal research is needed to clarify causal pathways.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PsychologicalCoping SkillsMental DisordersReligionReligion and PsychologyAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedUgandaYoung AdultCoping strategiesMental illnessReligiosityUganda

Identifiers

PMID41808142
PMCPMC13085712

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