The Use of Religion in the Management of Depression in Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review

• Published in: Journal of religion and health Vol. 59; no. 6; pp. 3110 - 3125
• Main Authors: Quasie-Woode, Delores P., Cunningham-Erves, Jennifer, Mayo-Gamble, Tilicia L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer 01.12.2020; Springer US; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Aging; Anemia, Sickle Cell - complications; Anemia, Sickle Cell - psychology; Anemia, Sickle Cell - therapy; Chronic Disease; Clinical Psychology; Depression - etiology; Depression - psychology; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental depression; Original Paper; Public Health; Religion; Religion and Psychology; Religious Studies; Sickle cell disease; Spirituality; Systematic review; Depression; Depressive symptoms; Sickle cell disease; Religiosity
• ISSN: 0022-4197; 1573-6571
• DOI: 10.1007/s10943-020-01039-y

The incidence of depression in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) is significantly higher compared to the general population. This systematic literature review was conducted to: (1) describe depressive symptoms in SCD individuals and (2) explore religiosity as a coping mechanism for alleviating depressive symptoms. Emerging themes were physical depressive symptoms and psychosocial depressive implications. Despite uptake of religion and religiosity as a coping strategy in other chronic illnesses, no studies were found that used religiosity to cope with depressive symptoms in SCD. Future research should explore the use of religiosity as an alternative therapy to cope with depression symptoms.