NEUROSIS AND RELIGIOSITY - IS THERE A CAU SAL CORRELATION

The interrelation between religiosity, mental health and psychopatholo gy is reviewed on the basis of the current literature. Attributional l abels, such as the German term ''ecclesiogenic neurosis'' are submitte d to a critical reevaluation, and their validity as a construct is que stioned. Neurotic symptomatology in religious patients has to be seen against the background of their underlying pathology, their biography, and the way in which they integrate religion into their life styles. The religiosity of a patient cannot be singled out as a causative and thus primary pathogenetic factor. Rather religion has to be seen as on e forming element among others contributing to the content of a neurot ic process. Therapists working with religious patients should try to u nderstand the religious background of their patients in order to help them integrate their religiosity in a larger framework of therapeutic goals.