Spirituality/religiosity as a resource for coping in soldiers: A summary report

Abstract

Background: Individuals often reflect on their future perspectives and vulnerable concepts of life, and ask for meaning and purpose in life, especially when confronted with stressful experiences and subsequent physical impairments and/or mental afflictions. Spirituality/religiosity (SpR) is a relevant resource used by individuals to cope with such events. Objective: This summary report focuses on SpR as a resource that Soldiers can use to deal with stressful situations and combat-associated health afflictions. Method: This summary presents information on specific studies indicating that spirituality can be a relevant resource for traumatized Soldiers. After a combat experience, for a Soldier, an assessment of his or her unmet psychosocial and spiritual needs might be particularly appropriate because this (low threshold) assessment avoids stigmatization of the Soldier as a "weak" person who would require psychologic/psychotherapeutic help. In the Military context, it is essential to recognize that SpR may be a beneficial resource to aid coping and adaptation. Conclusions: Both chronic illness and post-traumatic stress have significant impacts on life concerns and affect physical, functional, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Research has shown that SpR may have multiple beneficial effects on health and performance. Moreover, the ability to reflect priorities and change attitudes and behavior in response to illnesses/traumas could be an important factor for long-term adjustment, even if symptoms may persist.