Date of Award
5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2025
Degree Name
Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL)
Director
Christopher Staab, S.J.
Abstract
Mental health challenges among Nigerian youth, marked by depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and school dropout, pose urgent threats to individual well-being as well as national development. These threats expose a crucial need for innovative mental health interventions. In contexts where supernatural interpretations of mental illness dominate and access to professional care is limited, traditional healers, herbalists, and spiritualists - including prophets, prophetesses, and pastors- serve as frontline responders. This thesis proposes the integration of psychologically informed spiritual care as a culturally resonant intervention, bridging gaps between spirituality and psychology to address mental health disparities.
Drawing on the work of both Western and African scholars who have highlighted the benefits of integrating spirituality and psychology in mental health care, this research seeks to adapt these frameworks for a remote Nigerian population. This study will demonstrate the viability of psychologically informed spiritual care in delivering holistic, dignity-centered mental health support through training programs for non-professional caregivers. Grounded in Nigerian cultural and Christian values, these frameworks emphasize contextual relevance, leveraging local belief systems to foster trust and efficacy. It highlights the transformative potential of equipping spiritual caregivers with psychologically informed tools, enabling them to mitigate crises and promote recovery. Ultimately, this thesis offers a practical first-aid toolkit from Ignatian Spirituality Informed Therapy (I-SIT), empowering spiritual caregivers to make a meaningful impact on mental health in their communities. This work contributes a novel approach to mental health care in resource-constrained settings by harmonizing Christian spiritual practices with psychological insights.
Recommended Citation
Umenyi, Agatha Ejiakaedonwa, "Integrating Psychologically Informed Spiritual Care in Mental Health Support of Youth in the Nigerian Context" (2025). Jesuit School of Theology Dissertations. 146.
https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/jst_dissertations/146
