Religion plays a critical role in mental health, especially in resource-constrained areas such as rural communities. In South Africa, particularly the Eastern Cape, the state of mental health care services is concerning. Most people in rural communities do not have access to mental health care services. It has been stated that the use of indigenous healing methods in rural areas in South Africa for mental health care is prevalent. The use of religious rituals in addressing mental health concerns has been stated as one way in which people cope. The existing literature primarily focuses on the use of rituals in addressing mental illness; limited information is available on the benefits of religious rituals in enhancing psychological well-being.
Psychological well-being in this study was conceptualised as Ukuphila Emoyeni/hophela moyeng, a term used in the Zion church that acknowledges the intersection of psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being; thus, in this context, one may not research psychological well-being in isolation from the other dimensions. This study aimed to explore the psychological benefits derived through the enactment of the Zionist church's religious rituals on the psychological well-being of people in rural communities to develop guidelines that will assist psychologists in understanding how to integrate religious practices into psychological interventions. Using a qualitative approach that is exploratory, descriptive and contextual in design, 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. The data generated was analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis, and the study findings were framed within the social construction framework and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems theory.
This study's findings highlighted that the participants understood well-being, which encompasses behavioural, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive dimensions. They reflected on the significance and benefits of rituals such as prayer, Ukuhlambulula (a cleansing ritual), and water rituals for psychological well-being. Ukuhlambulula is particularly significant for RELIGIOUS RITUALS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES healing and communication. Church activities, including scripture reading and preaching, were perceived as fostering personal growth and providing moral guidance. The study also highlighted the active role of both individuals and clergy in promoting well-being, emphasising individual responsibility for seeking help when needed. The findings of this study underscore the importance of religious and cultural practices in promoting psychological well-being in rural communities.
The findings were used to develop guidelines for integrating religious practices into psychological interventions. These guidelines highlight the need to understand the multidimensional nature of religious practices and how they affect the therapeutic setting. The extent of the integration of such practices will, therefore, depend on the nature of the therapeutic context and relationship, with the client guiding the process. These guidelines also advocated for the use of language as an epistemic tool. They use the ritual of ukuhlambulula as an example, as both a process that has psychological consequences and a restoration concept, to highlight how language can foster such integration. These guidelines also recognise religious leaders and communities as knowledge carriers essential in mental health care settings. Finally, these guidelines advocate for strengthening mental health care professionals' training on religious and spiritual matters to enable them to co-create the provision of culturally sensitive care.
Key words: Mental Health, Psychological well-being, Religion, Religious Rituals, Zion Church.