Mode of Program Participation
Academic Scholarship
Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
Factors that predict clergy referral patterns to mental health providers in rural and Appalachian areas
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Various authors have documented the importance of religious tradition in Appalachian communities (e.g., Bill, 1999; Dorgan, 1989). Research also shows a positive correlation between church attendance and improved mental health (Larson & Larson, 2003) possibly proving an explanation as to why many will seek the counsel of clergy members as they are among the most trusted individuals in communities (Jones, 2005). Some may be experiencing symptoms related to depression, anxiety, or acute mental illnesses. Research has shown that clergy often feel inadequately trained to provide services or treatment for mental illnesses (Hall and Gjesfjeld, 2013). Given the centrality of religious practice in some Appalachian communities and the linkages between spirituality and clergy and mental health, there is a ripe opportunity to consider how clergy might serve as a conduit for referrals to mental health services, provided their perspective is conducive to such referrals. This presentation aims to explore factors that contribute to referral patterns of clergy when they perceive their church members to be experiencing mental health issues. The presentation will consider the questions: a) Does education level clergy affect referral patterns? b) Does exposure to psychology classes or mental health informational trainings increase referral rates from clergy? c) Does the presence of psychosis affect referral patterns? d) Are clergy more likely to “treat” a person presenting symptoms of depression more than a person presenting symptoms of psychosis? e) Do scores on fundamentalism scale predict referral patterns? Mechanisms for addressing friction between mental health professionals and clergy will be discussed.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Brianne Blevins is a West Virginia native enrolled in the doctorate program of clinical psychology at Marshall University, located in Huntington, West Virginia.
Factors that predict clergy referral patterns to mental health providers in rural and Appalachian areas
Various authors have documented the importance of religious tradition in Appalachian communities (e.g., Bill, 1999; Dorgan, 1989). Research also shows a positive correlation between church attendance and improved mental health (Larson & Larson, 2003) possibly proving an explanation as to why many will seek the counsel of clergy members as they are among the most trusted individuals in communities (Jones, 2005). Some may be experiencing symptoms related to depression, anxiety, or acute mental illnesses. Research has shown that clergy often feel inadequately trained to provide services or treatment for mental illnesses (Hall and Gjesfjeld, 2013). Given the centrality of religious practice in some Appalachian communities and the linkages between spirituality and clergy and mental health, there is a ripe opportunity to consider how clergy might serve as a conduit for referrals to mental health services, provided their perspective is conducive to such referrals. This presentation aims to explore factors that contribute to referral patterns of clergy when they perceive their church members to be experiencing mental health issues. The presentation will consider the questions: a) Does education level clergy affect referral patterns? b) Does exposure to psychology classes or mental health informational trainings increase referral rates from clergy? c) Does the presence of psychosis affect referral patterns? d) Are clergy more likely to “treat” a person presenting symptoms of depression more than a person presenting symptoms of psychosis? e) Do scores on fundamentalism scale predict referral patterns? Mechanisms for addressing friction between mental health professionals and clergy will be discussed.
