German Psychiatrists’ Observation and Interpretation of Religiosity/Spirituality

Table 4

Psychiatrists’ attitudes and self-reported behaviors regarding ReS in clinical settings.

Questionnaire items	Analysis
	Mean^a	Correlation with intrinsic religiosity^b,c
Attitudes
In general, it is appropriate for a psychiatrist to inquire about a patient’s religion and/or spirituality.	3.18 ± 0.83	0.243*
In general, it is appropriate for a psychiatrist to discuss religious/spiritual issues, when a patient brings them up.	3.47 ± 0.63	0.135
In general, it is appropriate for a psychiatrist to talk about his or her own religious beliefs or experiences with a patient.	1.73 ± 0.75	0.281**
In general, it is appropriate for a psychiatrist to pray with a patient together.	1.30 ± 0.51	0.382***
Self-reported behaviors ^d
I listen carefully and empathetically.	3.76 ± 0.46	0.242*
I try to change the subject in a tactful way.	1.82 ± 0.79	−0.273**
I encourage patients in their own religious/spiritual beliefs and practices.	3.18 ± 0.65	0.228*
I respectfully share my own religious ideas and experiences.	1.58 ± 0.73	0.332**
I pray with the patient.	1.12 ± 0.36	0.281**
I refer patients to chaplains.	2.96 ± 0.72	0.063
It is not my responsibility.	1.76 ± 0.86	−0.326**

aResponse categories are 1 = definitely not true, 2 = tends not to be true, 3 = tends to be true, and 4 = definitely true of me.
^bCorrelation between the sum of psychiatrists’ own intrinsic religiosity scores and their response to the items.
^cSpearman’s correlation (1 tailed): ***𝑃<0.001, **𝑃<0.01, *𝑃<0.05.
^dPreceded by “when religious/spiritual issues come up in discussions with patients.”