DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.180142.1 ISSN: 2046-1402

Neuroscientific, Behavioural, and Mental Health Interventions for Survivors of Unethical Religious Healing Practices: A Scoping Review Protocol

THALUKANYO CLOEPATRA MUFUNWA SADIKI, Mashudu Edward Muthivhi
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Trauma and long-term psychological distress have been made increasingly apparent by the recognition of unethical religious healing practices as a source of trauma amongst survivors through methods such as spiritual coercion, psychological manipulation, causing physical harm, and neglect of medical needs. Though religious healing can be an important form of coping and creating meaning for many communities, its harmful applications create significant ethical, neurological, behavioural, and mental health issues. Support for survivors has been researched, but the literature is not well synthesised across disciplines, thereby limiting the evidence available to support effective interventions. This protocol for a scoping review will describe the systematic process for mapping neuroscience, behavioural, and mental health interventions for those who have experienced unethical religious healing practices. Using the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, this scoping review will identify and chart peer-reviewed and grey literature on intervention types, targeted populations, theoretical underpinnings, and reported results. It will explore how trauma associated with unethical religious healing is conceptualised among and between disciplines, describe what interventions are used to help support survivors, and identify gaps in research and practice. The results of this scoping review will improve trauma-informed mental health care, foster ethical pastoral practice, and provide guidelines for addressing religiously mediated harm through an interdisciplinary approach.

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