The Role of Spirituality in Humanitarian Crisis Survival and Recovery
Strong relationship
In this chapter, the authors address the question: does a person’s degree of spirituality make a difference to/in their ability to survive and recover in times of crisis, and if it does, can and should humanitarian aid agencies seek to support spirituality?
Faith and recovery from trauma
While the relationship between spirituality and mental health can have positive and negative impacts, the author argues that spiritual beliefs and practice directly contribute to a community’s frame of reference and their finding meaning in a crisis and, ultimately, their access to resources and capacities for coping.
Evidence-base
The authors raise concerns that the evidence-base remains predominantly rooted in northern contexts and call for more southern-based research on the role of faith for improving survival and recovery following major humanitarian crises.
Comment:
This chapter discusses what was then the available knowledge on the relationship between well-being and spirituality. It is a particularly relevant resource because it was an early example of research looking into the intersections of faith, mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in humanitarian contexts.
