- Spirituality and religious beliefs were central to coping with pandemic-related emotional distress, especially grief and fear of death.
- Faith-based practices such as prayer, rituals and meaning-making fostered resilience despite restrictive public health measures.
- The study recommends integrating spiritual resources into mental health interventions during crises to enhance psychosocial support and recovery.
J Relig Health. 2026 Jun 27. doi: 10.1007/s10943-026-02720-4. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased mortality rates and exposed individuals to profound psychological challenges, particularly those related to loss, grief, and death. This qualitative interpretive study explored how spirituality and religion influenced coping mechanisms during the pandemic in Sandton, South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten purposively selected participants (N = 10). The findings indicate that spirituality and religious beliefs played a central role in coping with emotional distress, with faith-based practices such as prayer, rituals, and meaning-making fostering resilience under restrictive public health conditions. The study highlights the importance of integrating spiritual resources into mental health interventions during crises.
PMID:42364063 | DOI:10.1007/s10943-026-02720-4
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