Proceedings of the 2nd (Hybrid) International Conference, Faculty of Social Sciences, Niger Delta University, Held on March 13, 2024
March, 2024
Pages 28-43
DOI: 10.36108/wjss/ConfP.2024.003
DETERMINANTS OF PATRONAGE OF FAITH-BASED HEALING IN THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL DISORDERS
Ruth Ebikaboere Omu and Ruth Meyah Natus
Abstract
Faith healing involves the faith of the patient in the healing powers of the healer to effect a cure. They are believed to have been given special healing powers by some supernatural agents or spirits. The study aimed to examine the determinants of patronage of faith-based healing in the treatment of mental disorders in Yenagoa. The study sampled a total of 277 respondents in Yenagoa. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey, through a multi-stage sampling technique. Most of the data were primarily gathered using questionnaires and in-depth interviews and analyzed at univariate and bivariate levels. The Social Sciences Statistical Package (SPSS) aided the analysis. This investigation revealed that educational qualification influenced perceptions of mental illness causation, with participants citing various causes such as witchcraft, demon possession, punishment from God, evil spirit possession, and drug abuse. Factors influencing the choice of faith healing for mental illness treatment included socioeconomic status, culture, religious beliefs, high economic status, lack of knowledge, and superstitious beliefs. The study recommended that governments should prioritize mental health by allocating resources, raising awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring accessible and affordable mental health services in Bayelsa State.
Keywords: Mental Illness, Faith healers, Yenagoa, Religious belief, Treatment.
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